ard. He was then carried out
of the boat by some of his own people, upon a board resembling a
hand-barrow, and went and seated himself in a small house near the
shore, which seemed to have been erected there for his accommodation. He
placed me at his side, and his attendants, who were not numerous, seated
themselves in a semicircle before us, on the outside of the house.
Behind the chief, or rather on one side, sat an old woman, with a sort
of fan in her hand, whose office it was to prevent his being pestered
with the flies.

The several articles which his people had got, by trading on board the
ships, were now displayed before him. He looked over them all with
attention, enquired what they had given in exchange, and seemed pleased
with the bargains they had made. At length he ordered every thing to be
restored to the respective owners, except a glass bowl, with which he
was so much pleased that he reserved it for himself. The persons who
brought these things to him, first squatted themselves down before him,
then they deposited their several purchases, and immediately rose up and
retired. The same respectful ceremony was observed in taking them away,
and not one of them presumed to speak to him standing. I stayed till
several of his attendants left him, first paying him obeisance, by
bowing the head down to the sole of his foot, and touching or tapping
the same with the upper and under side of the fingers of both hands.
Others, who were not in the circle, came, as it seemed, on purpose, and
paid him this mark of respect and then retired, without speaking a word.
I was quite charmed with the decorum that was observed. I had no where
seen the like, not even amongst more civilized nations.

I found the master returned from his expedition when I got on board. He
informed me, that, as far as he had proceeded, there was anchorage, and
a passage for the ships, but that toward the S. and S.E. he saw a number
of small isles, shoals, and breakers. Judging, from this report, that my
attempting a passage that way would be attended with some risk, I now
dropped all thoughts of it, thinking it better to return toward
Annamooka by the same route, which we had so lately experienced to be a
safe one.

Having come to this resolution, I should have sailed next morning if the
wind had not been too far southerly, and at the same time very
unsettled. Poulaho, the king, as I shall now call him, came on board
betimes, and brought, as a pre