Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/162

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VOYAGE IN SEARCH
[1793.

of satisfaction, that King Toobou himself was bound to pay her these marks of respect, because it was from her he derived his dignity.

After having informed us that she purposed to take up her abode in the island of Pangaïmotoo, as long as we staid in the road, she invited the General to come and reside on shore, and sleep in her house. I do not imagine that the old lady had any other intention, than to procure him a more pleasant and healthy residence than he had on board: but the General had no opportunity of ascertaining with precision her motive for this obliging offer, for he did not accept her invitation.

One of our sailors had in his hand a bit of bacon, which he was going to eat, when Féogo, one of Tiné's maids of honour, appeared desirous of tasting it. He offered it to her, and she received it with thankfulness: but as she could not think of eating it in the royal presence, the Queen had the complaisance to go and sit about twelve paces off, that her attendant might be at a distance from her; yet before she quitted her place, she had received from the young lady the same marks of respect, as others of the natives had already paid her in our presence.

Two hours before sun-set, Tiné expressed a wish to return to the island of Pangaïmotoo, andsoon