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THE KING'S GUARDS.

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yet a row of soldiers stood along the road, that led up to the fence of bamboos around it. These soldiers were the king's guards, and had guns in their hands: they were not dressed like English soldiers, but in native clothes of various kinds. As soon as the visitors, by the help of stones, had stepped over the bamboo fence, an officer in a scarlet coat bade them stop, and desired the soldiers to fire in honour of their arrival.

Mr. Nott went first into the house, and soon returned to tell his companions that the king would see them. The visitors found Pomare seated on the ground, near the door. The floor was covered with long dry grass; a mat was spread on it near the door, a calico sheet was placed on the mat, and on this sheet the king was seated, and with it he covered his legs.

As he was very ill, he was obliged to lean his back against some pillows, that were placed before one of the posts that supported the roof. He wore a white calico shirt, and over it a most beautiful yellow tibuta, ornamented with figures of flowers. His hair was short, excepting one long piece behind, that was rolled up and fastened on the top of his head. His hands were tattooed, his complexion was very dark, and his countenance sensible. The queen his wife sat on a stool on his left hand she was young and rather fair, and held on her knee

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boy about a year and a half old, dressed in a short muslin frock. The queen's sister sat next. Both the queen and her sister were dressed in gowns and bonnets, and shoes and stockings, like Englishwomen; not that they

THE KING'S HOUSE.

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always wore such clothes, but they were dressed in their best to receive company. Near them sat a little girl ten years old. She was the princess Aimata, Pomare's daughter. The princess was dressed in a blue flowered frock, and a straw bonnet. Next to her sat three ladies.

On a stool in front of the king sat Tati, his prime minister, and in the further part of the large room stood a great number of chiefs and servants. Many people were standing outside, peeping through the walls. There was but little furniture in the palace; the king's bed stood behind a curtain at one end, and a few stools and mats were scattered about the floor.

When the travellers entered, the king nodded to them, and made a sign for them to sit upon two stools on his right hand.

The travellers first inquired after the health of the king, and then gave him some letters from the Missionary Society, and thanked him for his great kindness to all the missionaries. Pomare then asked whether the gospel was preached in other heathen lands, and seemed pleased to hear that it was. After a little more conversation, he ordered wine to be brought, with glasses, which were placed on a low stool before the visitors. The guests drank his health; and Pomare partook of a little wine with them. Had Pomare always been equally

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THE KING'S CONVERSATION.

temperate, he would not have been in the state he then was; for he was suffering from a dropsy, which threatened his life.

Pomare next desired that the visitors might be shown the presents prepared for them. They also had brought presents from England for him, but by his desire they had been left at Tahiti. The king's presents were in the court-yard, and consisted of fourteen fine hogs, and five heaps of fruit, each heap containing as much as two men could carry. The visitors, after looking at the gifts, returned to thank Pomare, and then departed.

About a week afterwards, the king determined, for the benefit of his health, to sail round the island of Eimeo. Before he set out, he came in his canoe to see the travellers. He landed, and went into a house that was close to the sea, for he could not walk more than a few steps. He then sent for Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet. They found him lying on a sofa, with his legs wrapped in a sheet. His breath was short, he coughed, and seemed very weak. In the course of the visit, he asked what o'clock it was; probably wishing to see the watches of his visitors, although he possessed some of his own. He next asked whether they had any spectacles. Mr. Bennet had some green spectacles, which the king tried on, and admired, and then returned to their

THE GREEN SPECTACLES.

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owner. In about an hour Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet took leave. The king sent a messenger after them, requesting Mr. Bennet to change his green spectacles for another pair which were too small for himself. Of course the request was granted.

Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet, soon after this interview, returned to Tahiti.

The king, who gained no benefit from his voyage, came also to Tahiti, and lived in his house at Bunaauia, where the last great battle had been fought.

While the king was there, he sent for Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet to see him again. They found him very ill, and unable to speak much. He had indeed been seized with a fainting-fit the night before, and had appeared dead for a time. He now felt convinced that he should soon die. When Mr. Tyerman and Mr. Bennet entered, he was lying upon a couch, and was covered with a white counterpane. Close beside him a small table was placed, spread with various fruits and wine, of which he invited his guests to partake. The queen, with her little boy upon her knee, was in the room; and at the further end of it, a number of chiefs (both men and women) were sitting cross-legged upon the floor. The guests conversed with the king upon the subject of their visit to his kingdom,

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