part of the island was Oreo. Captain Cook paid him a
visit at his own house, and was cordially received. He, as others had
done, inquired after Tupia and the captain's companions on his former
voyage, by name. A play was soon got up--the chiefs daughter and seven
men being the actors. The plot was as follows:--A theft was committed
in a masterly manner, but discovered before the thief had time to carry
off his plunder. He and his accomplice were attacked by those who had
charge of it; but the latter were beaten off, and the rogues escaped in
triumph. This incident gives a notion of the moral character of the
people in that respect. On another occasion Oreo entertained the
strangers with a feast, in the native fashion. The floor was strewed
thick with leaves, on which hot bread, fruit, and plantains were placed,
with two pigs roasted whole--one of about sixty, the other thirty
pounds. They were admirably dressed, having been baked in the native
underground ovens, all parts being equally cooked. Cocoanuts supplied
the beverage, but the visitors had brought some bottles of wine, which
the chief seemed to like, as he both then and always filled his glass
whenever the bottle came to him, but seemed not to be affected by it.
Plays were got up every day for the amusement of the strangers; indeed,
the natives seemed anxious in every way to please them. The people of
this island appeared to be of a mild, amiable, and timid disposition.

A native lad about eighteen years of age, called Oedidee, joined the
Resolution at this island, in the place of Boreo, who, falling in love
with a damsel he met with, remained that he might marry her. Oedidee
was a native of Bolabola, and a near relation of the great Opoony, chief
of that island.

On this his second visit to these islands, Captain Cook, knowing more of
the language of the people, was able to gain a better insight into their
habits and customs. Among other points, he discovered, without doubt,
that human sacrifices were frequently offered up at their morais. At
first the natives would only acknowledge that criminals were killed, but
afterwards they confessed that any whom the priest chose to denounce
were offered up. Thus, a priest who had a dislike to a man might at any
moment doom him to death by pronouncing him a bad man. He then sent out
his executioners, who, with a couple of blows from their heavy clubs,
struck the unsuspecting victim dead at their feet. Th