of their success, for he had seen how a vine planted by the Spaniards had
been spitefully trampled down, as the natives, tasting the grapes before
they were ripe, had concluded it was poisonous. It was carefully pruned
into proper shape again, and Omai was instructed to set forth its merits
and how it should be cultivated.

Towards the end of the month a man reported that the two Spanish ships
had returned, and showed a piece of cloth he said he had obtained from
them, so Cook, not knowing if England and Spain were on friendly terms,
prepared for the worst, and the two ships made ready for defence if
necessary. Lieutenant Williamson was despatched in a boat for news, but
could see no ships, nor signs of any having been on the coast since the
English left their last port of call.

A HUMAN SACRIFICE.

At their last visit an expedition was being prepared against the revolted
island of Eimeo, but it did not seem to have been very successful in its
object, for there were still disturbances going on between the two
nations, and on 30th August news came that the Otaheitans had been driven
up into the hills. A grand meeting was held to discuss matters, and great
efforts were made to enlist the services of Cook; but he would not assist
in any way, as he did not understand the cause of the quarrel, and he had
always found the inhabitants of Eimeo friendly towards him. Having heard
that a chief named Towha had killed a man as a sacrifice to their God,
Cook obtained permission to witness the remaining ceremonies as he
thought it offered an opportunity to learn something of the religion of
this people. He therefore started with Dr. Anderson, Mr. Webber, and the
chief Potatow in a boat, accompanied by Omai in a canoe, for the scene of
action. On their arrival the sailors were instructed to remain in the
boat, and the gentlemen were requested to remove their hats as soon as
they reached the Morai where the ceremonial was to take place. When they
got there the body of the victim was seen in a small canoe in front of
the Morai and just in the wash of the sea, in charge of four priests and
their attendants, the king and his party some twenty or thirty paces
away, and the rest of the spectators a little further still. Two priests
came forward to Otoo, one placing a young plantain tree in front of him,
and the other touching his foot with a bunch of red feathers, and then
rejoining the others, who immediately went off to a smaller Morai n