t all the other neighbouring isles, except Annamooka, where there were
some chiefs, who seemed to act with some kind of independence. Omai, who
was a great favourite with Feenou, and these people in general, was
tempted with the offer of being made chief of this island, if he would
have staid amongst them; and it is not clear to me, that he would not
have been glad to stay, if the scheme had met with my approbation. I own
I did disapprove of it, but not because I thought that Omai would do
better for himself in his own native isle.

On returning from my country expedition, we were informed that a party
of the natives had, in the circle where our people traded, struck one of
their own countrymen with a club, which laid bare, or as others said,
fractured his skull, and then broke his thigh with the same, when our
men interposed. He had no signs of life when carried to a neighbouring
house, but afterward recovered a little. On my asking the reason of so
severe a treatment, we were informed, that he had been discovered in a
situation rather indelicate, with a woman who was _taboo'd_. We,
however, understood, that she was no otherwise _taboo'd_, than by
belonging to another person, and rather superior in rank to her gallant.
From this circumstance we had an opportunity of observing how these
people treat such infidelities. But the female sinner has, by far, the
smaller share of punishment for her misdemeanor, as they told us that
she would only receive a slight beating.

The next morning, I planted a pine-apple, and sowed the seeds of melons
and other vegetables, in the chief's plantation. I had some
encouragement, indeed, to flatter myself, that my endeavours of this
kind would not be fruitless; for, this day, there was served up at my
dinner, a dish of turnips, being the produce of the seeds I had left
here during my last voyage.

I had fixed upon the 15th for sailing, till Taoofa pressed me to stay a
day or two longer, to receive a present he had prepared for me. This
reason, and the daily expectation of seeing some of our friends from
Tongataboo, induced me to defer my departure.

Accordingly, the next day I received the chiefs present, consisting of
two small heaps of yams, and some fruit, which seemed to be collected by
a kind of contribution, as at the other isles. On this occasion, most of
the people of the island had assembled at the place; and, as we had
experienced on such numerous meetings amongst their neighb