ngataboo.

The following morning Poulaho, and the other chiefs who had been
wind-bound with him, arrived. I happened, at this time, to be ashore in
company with Feenou, who now seemed to be sensible of the impropriety of
his conduct, in assuming a character that did not belong to him. For he
not only acknowledged Poulaho to be King of Tongataboo, and the other
isles, but affected to insist much on it, which, no doubt, was with a
view to make amends for his former presumption. I left him to visit this
greater man, whom I found sitting with a few people before him. But
every one hastening to pay court to him, the circle increased pretty
fast. I was very desirous of observing Feenou's behaviour on this
occasion, and had the most convincing proof of his superiority, for he
placed himself amongst the rest that sat before Poulaho, as attendants
on his majesty. He seemed at first rather abashed, as some of us were
present who had been used to see him act a different part; but he soon
recovered himself. Some little conversation passed between these two
chiefs, which none of us understood, nor were we satisfied with Omai's
interpretation of it. We were, however, by this time sufficiently
undeceived as to Feenou's rank. Both he and Poulaho went on board with
me to dinner, but only the latter sat at table. Feenou, having made his
obeisance in the usual way, saluting his sovereign's foot with his head
and hands, retired out of the cabin.[164] The king had before told us
that this would happen, and it now appeared that Feenou could not even
eat or drink in his royal presence.

[Footnote 164: Marks of profound respect, very similar to those paid by
natives of the Friendly Islands to their sovereign, are also paid to the
principal chiefs, or _Tamoles_, of the Caroline Islands, as appears from
Father Cantova's account here transcribed. "Lorsqu'un _Tamole_ donne
audience, il paroit assis sur une table elevee: les peuples s'inclinent
devant lui jusqu'a terre; et du plus loin qu'ils arrivent, il marchent
le corps tout courbe, et la tete presqu'entre les genoux, jusqu'a ce
qu'ils soient aupres de sa personne; alors ils s'asseyent a plate terre;
et, les yeux baisses, il recoivent ses ordres avec le plus profond
respect. Quand le _Tamole_ les congedie, ils se retirent, en se courbant
de la meme maniere que quand ils sont venus, et ne se relevent que
lorsqu'ils sont hors de sa presence. Ses paroles sont autant d'oracles
qu'on revere; on rend