rest of Tinah's children at
Oparre. I prepared a magnificent present for this youth, who was
represented to me as the person of the greatest consequence, or rather of
the highest rank, in the island. At noon I left the ship, accompanied by
Tinah, his wife Iddeah, and Poeeno. Moannah was to have been of the party
but he insisted on remaining in the ship to prevent his countrymen from
attempting to steal anything.

After half an hour's sailing we arrived at Oparre. During this time Tinah
gave me a more circumstantial account of the cattle and sheep that had
been left with him: he related that, after five years from the time of
Captain Cook's departure (counting 63 moons) the people of the Island
Eimeo joined with those of Attahooroo, a district of Otaheite, and made a
descent on Oparre: that after some resistance by which many men were
killed Tinah and his people fled to the mountains, leaving all their
property to the mercy of the victorious party who destroyed almost
everything which they found not convenient to take away with them. Some
of the cattle were killed and eaten but the greater part were taken to
Eimeo. The cows he said had produced eight calves and the ewes ten young
ones. The ducks, among which they classed the geese, had greatly
increased; but the turkeys and peacocks, whatever was the cause, had not
bred. It seemed to give Tinah great pleasure to observe how much I was
concerned for the destruction of so many useful animals; but the cause of
his satisfaction, I found, did not proceed from any expectation that I
should replace them, but from the belief that I would take vengeance on
the people who had deprived him of them; for with respect to the loss of
the cattle he appeared so unconcerned and indifferent that I was very
angry with him. There is however sufficient excuse for his resentment
against the people of Eimeo; for the large extensive houses which we had
seen in this part of Otaheite in the year 1777 were all destroyed, and at
present they had no other habitations than light sheds which might be
taken by the four corners and removed by four men: and of the many large
canoes which they then had not more than three remained. Tinah,
understanding from my conversation that I intended visiting some of the
other islands in this neighbourhood, very earnestly desired I would not
think of leaving Matavai. "Here," said he, "you shall be supplied
plentifully with everything you want. All here are your friend