closure, in which was a neat house, and we
found one man sitting before it. As the company entered, they pulled off
the green branches from round their necks, and threw them away. The king
having first seated himself, the others sat down before him, in the
usual manner. The circle increased, by others dropping in, to the number
of a hundred or upward, mostly old men, all dressed as above described.
The company being completely assembled, a large root of _kava_, brought
by one of the king's servants, was produced, and a bowl which contained
four or five gallons. Several persons now began to chew the root, and
this bowl was made brimful of liquor. While it was preparing, others
were employed in making drinking cups of plantain leaves. The first cup
that was filled, was presented to the king, and he ordered it to be
given to another person. The second was also brought to him, which he
drank, and the third was offered to me. Afterward, as each cup was
filled, the man who filled it, asked who was to have it? Another then
named the person; and to him it was carried. As the bowl grew low, the
man who distributed the liquor seemed rather at a loss to whom cups of
it should be next sent, and frequently consulted those who sat near him.
This mode of distribution continued, while any liquor remained; and
though not half the company had a share, yet no one seemed dissatisfied.
About half a dozen cups served for all; and each, as it was emptied, was
thrown down upon the ground, where the servants picked it up, and
carried it to be filled again. During the whole time, the chief and his
circle sat as was usually the case, with a great deal of gravity, hardly
speaking a word to each other.

We had long waited in expectation, each moment, of seeing the mourning
ceremony begin; when, soon after the _kava_ was drank out, to our great
surprise and disappointment, they all rose up and dispersed; and Poulaho
told us, he was now ready to attend us to the ships. If this was a
mourning ceremony, it was a strange one. Perhaps it was the second,
third, or fourth mourning; or, which was not very uncommon, Omai might
have misunderstood what Poulaho said to him. For, excepting the change
of dress, and the putting the green bough round their necks, nothing
seemed to have passed at this meeting, but what we saw them practise,
too frequently, every day.

[168]"We had seen the drinking of _kava_ sometimes at the other islands,
but, by no means, so freq