he wished to remain on board
all night, and I directed accommodations to be prepared, which was done
with little trouble as nothing more was necessary than a mat and some
cloth spread on the deck. She had with her a favourite cat, bred from one
that had been given her by Captain Cook. She told me all the misfortunes
that had befallen her son and friends since Captain Cook left Otaheite.
All the accounts agree in some of the cattle being now alive at the
island Eimeo: in the number they differ but that there were eight is the
least account.
Wednesday 26.
In the morning, Oberreeroah being desirous to go on shore, I made her a
present of several things, which she did not care to take with her then,
but requested that I would keep them safe for her. Only Moannah and
Poeeno dined with me today. They told me that Tinah and his brother
Oreepyah were not on good terms together, and it was imagined that they
would fight as soon as the ship was gone. I had observed a coolness
between them, and had at times endeavoured to make them more cordial, but
with very little effect. Their quarrel has arisen from a disagreement
between their wives.
In the afternoon a canoe from Ulietea arrived in which was an Earee or
chief of that island, who is a nephew to Oberreeroah. He brought a sheep
with him: the poor animal was infected with the mange and in very poor
condition. The climate had not as far as I could judge altered the
quality of the wool, with which he was well covered except a part about
the shoulders. I imagine this animal to be the English ewe left by
Captain Cook. The owner assured me that there were ten sheep at Huaheine;
the truth of which I much doubted. I was surprised and rather mortified
to find that he set so little value on this as to let me have it, at the
first word, for a small adze. I sent it to be kept at Poeeno's with the
heifer.
Friday 28.
Tinah and his wife returned to Matavai and, from appearances which I have
no reason to mistrust, were sincerely glad to see me again after their
short absence. They brought as usual a present of a hog and fruit. This
morning there was an eclipse of the sun, but the weather was so cloudy
that I had only an opportunity of observing the end of the eclipse, which
was at 19 hours 43 minutes 53 seconds.
Saturday 29.
I sent a man to shear the ewe, by which a remedy could more easily be
applied to cure the disease with which it was infected. The garden made
near the tent
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