The magic line was called a _taboo_. Past the tabooed line of the
magic wand not a native would dare to go. Here Captain King, assisted
by the young midshipman, Vancouver, landed with a guard of eight or ten
mariners to overhaul the ships' masts, while the rest of the two crews
obtained provisions by trade.
Cook was carried off to the very centre of the Morai--a circular
enclosure of solid stone with images and priests' houses at one end,
the skulls of slain captives at the other. Here priests and people did
the white explorer homage as to a god, sacrificing to him their most
sacred animal--a strangled pig.
All went well for the first few days. A white gunner, who died, was
buried within the sacred enclosure of the Morai. The natives loaded
the white men's boats with provisions. In ten days the wan, gaunt
{199} sailors were so sleek and fat that even the generous entertainers
had to laugh at the transformation. Old King Terreeoboo came clothed
in a cloak of gaudy feathers with spears and daggers at his belt and a
train of priestly retainers at his heels to pay a visit of state to
Cook; and a guard of mariners was drawn up at arms under the cocoanut
grove to receive the visitor with fitting honor.
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