ture, he sent a large supply of provisions
after them, together with orders, that the inhabitants of the country
through which they were to pass, should give them every assistance in
their power. And, to complete the delicacy and disinterestedness of
his conduct, even the people he employed could not be prevailed on
to accept the smallest present. After remaining out six days, our
officers returned, without having been able to penetrate above twenty
miles into the island, partly from want of proper guides, and partly
from the impracticability of the country.

The head of the Resolution's rudder being found exceedingly shaken,
and most of the pintles either loose or broken, it was unhung, and
sent on shore on the 27th in the morning, to undergo a thorough
repair. At the same time the carpenters were sent into the country,
under conduct of some of Kaoo's people, to cut planks for the head
rail-work, which was also entirely decayed and rotten.

On the 28th, Captain Clerke, whose ill health confined him, for the
most part, on board, paid Terreeoboo, his first visit, at his hut on
shore. He was received with the same formalities as were observed
with Captain Cook; and, on his coming away, though the visit was quite
unexpected, he received a present of thirty large hogs, and as much
fruit and roots as his crew could consume in a week.

As we had not yet seen any thing of their sports or athletic
exercises, the natives, at the request of some of our officers,
entertained us this evening with a boxing-match. Though these games
were much inferior, as well in point of solemnity and magnificence,
as in the skill and powers of the combatants, to what we had seen
exhibited at the Friendly Islands; yet, as they differed in some
particulars, it may not be improper to give a short account of them.
We found a vast concourse of people assembled on a level spot of
ground, at a little distance from our tents. A long space was left
vacant in the midst of them, at the upper end of which sat the judges,
under three standards, from which hung slips of cloth of various
colours, the skins of two wild geese, a few small birds, and bunches
of feathers. When the sports were ready to begin, the signal was given
by the judges, and immediately two combatants appeared. They came
forward slowly, lifting up their feet very high behind, and drawing
their hands along the soles. As they approached, they frequently
eyed each other from head to foot, in a