contemptuous manner, casting
several arch looks at the spectators, straining their muscles, and
using a variety of affected gestures. Being advanced within reach of
each other, they stood with both arms held out straight before their
faces, at which part all their blows were aimed. They struck, in what
appeared to our eyes an awkward manner, with a full swing of the arm;
made no attempt to parry, but eluded their adversary's attack by an
inclination of the body, or by retreating. The battle was quickly
decided; for if either of them was knocked down, or even fell by
accident, he was considered as vanquished, and the victor expressed
his triumph by a variety of gestures, which usually excited, as was
intended, a loud laugh among the spectators. He then waited for a
second antagonist, and, if again victorious, for a third, till he
was at last, in his turn, defeated. A singular rule observed in these
combats is, that whilst any two are preparing to fight, a third person
may step in, and choose either of them for his antagonist, when the
other is obliged to withdraw. Sometimes three or four followed each
other in this manner, before the match was settled. When the combat
proved longer than usual, or appeared too unequal, one of the chiefs
generally stepped in, and ended it by putting a stick between the
combatants. The same good humour was preserved throughout, which we
before so much admired in the Friendly Islanders. As these games were
given at our desire, we found it universally expected that we should
have borne our part in them; but our people, though much pressed by
the natives, turned a deaf ear to their challenge, remembering full
well the blows they got at the Friendly Islands.

This day died William Watman, a seaman of the gunner's crew; an event
which I mention the more particularly, as death had hitherto been very
rare amongst us. He was an old man, and much respected on account of
his attachment to Captain Cook. He had formerly served as a marine
twenty-one years; after which, he entered as a seaman on board the
Resolution in 1772, and served with. Captain Cook in his voyage
toward the South Pole. At their return, he was admitted into Greenwich
hospital, through the captain's interest, at the same time with
himself; and being resolved to follow throughout the fortunes of his
benefactor, he also quitted it along with him, on his being appointed
to the command of the present expedition. During the voyage, he had