Sometimes three or four followed each other in this manner, before the match was settled.  When the combat proved longer than usual, or appeared too unequal, one of the chiefs generally stepped in, and ended it by putting a stick between the combatants.  The same good humour was preserved throughout, which we before so much admired in the Friendly Islanders.  As these games were given at our desire, we found it universally expected that we should have borne our part in them; but our people, though much pressed by the natives, turned a deaf ear to their challenge, remembering full well the blows they got at the Friendly Islands.

This day died William Watman, a seaman of the gunner’s crew; an event which I mention the more particularly, as death had hitherto been very rare amongst us.  He was an old man, and much respected on account of his attachment to Captain Cook.  He had formerly served as a marine twenty-one years; after which, he entered as a seaman on board the Resolution in 1772, and served with.  Captain Cook in his voyage toward the South Pole.  At their return, he was admitted into Greenwich hospital, through the captain’s interest, at the same time with himself; and being resolved to follow throughout the fortunes of his benefactor, he also quitted it along with him, on his being appointed to the command of the present expedition.  During the voyage, he had been frequently subject to slight fevers, and was a convalescent when we came into the bay, where, being sent on shore for a few days, he conceived himself perfectly recovered, and, at his own desire, returned on board; but the day following, he had a paralytic stroke, which in two days more carried him off.

At the request of the king of the island, he was buried on the morai, and the ceremony was performed with as much solemnity as our situation permitted.  Old Kaoo and his brethren were spectators, and preserved the most profound silence and attention, whilst the service was reading.  When we began to fill up the grave, they approached it with great reverence, threw in a dead pig, some cocoa-nuts, and plantains; and, for three nights afterward, they surrounded it, sacrificing hogs, and performing their usual ceremonies of hymns and prayers, which continued till day-break.

At the head of the grave we erected a post, and nailed upon it a square piece of board, on which was inscribed the name of the deceased, his age, and the day of his death.  This they promised not to remove; and we have no doubt but that it will be suffered to remain as long as the frail materials of which it is made will permit.