me hours. The land was hilly, and the houses of much larger
construction than we had observed in those seas.

We were now convinced that we were further to the westward than we
imagined, and therefore shaped a course to fall in to the eastward of
Wallis's Island; and next day fell in with it. We gave presents, as
customary, to the first boat; who, from a theft they committed, were
afraid to return. Their cheek-bones were much bruised and flattened, and
some had both their little fingers cut off.[138-2]

We bore away, intending to steer in the track of Carteret and Bligh,
between Spirito Santo and Santa Cruz; and on the 8th saw land to the
westward. We sounded, but found no bottom. We run down the island, and
saw a vast number of houses amongst the trees. It is very hilly, and,
from the great height of some of them, may be called mountains. They are
cultivated to the top; the reason of which, I presume, is from its being
so full of inhabitants. It is about seven miles long; and being a new
discovery, we called it Grenville's Island, in honour of Lord Grenville.
The name the natives gave it is Rotumah. They came off in a fleet of
canoes, rested on their paddles, and gave the war-hoop at stated periods.
They were all armed with clubs, and meant to attack us; but the magnitude
and novelty of such an object as a man of war, struck them with a mixture
of wonder and fear. They were, however, perfectly ignorant of fire-arms,
and seemed much startled at the report of a musket, were too shy to stand
the experiment of a great gun. As they came off with hostile intentions,
they brought no women with them.

They wore necklaces, bracelets, and girdles of white shells. Their bodies
were curiously marked with the figures of men, dogs, fishes, and birds,
upon every part of them; so that every man was a moving landscape. These
marks were all raised, and done, I suppose, by pinching up the skin.

They were great adepts in thieving, and uncommonly athletic and strong.
One fellow was making off with some booty, but was detected; and although
five of the stoutest men in the ship were hanging upon him, and had fast
hold of his long flowing black hair, he overpowered them all, and jumped
overboard with his prize. There is a high promontory on this island,
which we named Mount Temple.

On the 11th, no land being then in sight, we run over a reef of coral, in
eleven fathom water. We were much alarmed, but passed it in five minutes;
and on so