.

Friday 13.

After this ceremony a present was produced from many of the principal
people for young Otoo, the Earee Rahie, which was received by Iddeah,
Tinah being absent. This present consisted of five hogs, and forty-eight
baskets filled with breadfruit, coconuts, tarro, and different kinds of
puddings. The baskets were decorated with slips of cloth, stained with
variety of colours and carried by 24 men, each of whom had a pole on his
shoulder, at each end of which was a basket.

I have seldom spoken of Otoo who was too young to have any share in the
management of affairs, and with whom we were not permitted to have any
intercourse, except speaking to him now and then across a river; at which
times I did not neglect to send the children some little presents, so
that they always rejoiced to see me. I might have been admitted to a
nearer acquaintance if I would have gone with my shoulders uncovered, as
his parents did, but this I declined. The children do not all live under
the same roof, the two sisters eating and sleeping in a separate house,
though at other times they are generally together.

The island Tethuroa may very properly be compared to some of our
watering-places in England, producing a similar effect upon those who
visit it. Many who went there covered with scurf returned plump and fair,
and scarce like the same people. This alteration for the better is in a
great measure to be attributed to the discontinuance of the Ava, which
Tethuroa does not produce: the coconut trees, likewise, which supply them
with their only beverage, growing on low sandy keys and having their
roots below the level of the sea may probably have qualities different
from the coconuts of Otaheite which, with a plenty of fish, that at other
times they are not accustomed to, must no doubt contribute to the
amendment described.

Saturday 14.

I was visited today by a very old man, an uncle to Tupia, the person who
went from these islands in the Endeavour in the year 1769, and who died
at Batavia. He appeared to be near 70 years old and was treated with much
respect by the natives. He made several enquiries concerning his nephew
and requested that when I came again I would bring his hair. At the time
that Tinah mentioned to me his desire of visiting England I asked what
account I could give to his friends if he should not live to return; to
which he replied that I must cut off his hair and carry it to them and
they would be perfec