nd declared manner, and by way of a joke, as a present
to his Owhyhean majesty. The natural gaiety of disposition which
generally prevails among these islanders, would render this supposed
disappointment of the king a subject for mirth, would in some degree
prepare the company for his visit, and completely do away with every
idea of its being the effect of a preconcerted measure.

"This plan was accordingly carried into execution on the following
Monday. Whilst the queen and her party, totally ignorant of the
contrivance, were receiving the compliments I had intended them,
their good humor and pleasantry were infinitely heightened by the jest
I proposed to pass upon the king, in sending him a piece of paper
only, carefully wrapped up in some cloth of their own manufacture,
accompanied by a message; importing, that as I was then in the act of
distributing favors to my Owhyhean friends, I had not been unmindful
of his majesty.

"Tamaahmaah no sooner received the summons, than he hastened on board,
and, with his usual vivacity, exclaimed before he made his appearance
that he was come to thank me for the present I had sent him, and for
my goodness in not having forgotten him on this occasion. This was
heard by everyone in the cabin before he entered; and all seemed to
enjoy the joke except the poor queen, who appeared to be much agitated
at the idea of being again in his presence. The instant that he saw
her his countenance expressed great surprise, he became immediately
silent, and attempted to retire; but, having posted myself for the
especial purpose of preventing his departure, I caught his hand and,
joining it with the queen's, their reconciliation was instantly
completed. This was fully demonstrated, not only by the tears that
involuntarily stole down the cheeks of both as they embraced each
other and mutually expressed the satisfaction they experienced; but
by the behavior of every individual present, whose feelings on the
occasion were not to be repressed; whilst their sensibility testified
the happiness which this apparently fortuitous event had produced.

"A short pause, produced by an event so unexpected, was succeeded by
the sort of good humor that such a happy circumstance would naturally
inspire; the conversation soon became general, cheerful and lively,
in which the artifice imagined to have been imposed upon the king
bore no small share. A little refreshment from a few glasses of wine
concluded the scene