Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/191

] with a view to render the flesh more delicate. We saw this operation performed on a very young pig, which one of the natives laid on the back, after having tied his legs, while another made an incision into the scrotum with the edge of a piece of bamboo, and removed the testicles, separating them from the parts to which they adhered, with all the dexterity of an anatomist.

Toobou treated us with fowls broiled on the coals; yams, plantains, and bread-fruit, roasted under the ashes; and the liquor of the cocoa-nut to drink.

Three of the daughters of this chief came to keep us company. They talked a great deal; and though we were very hungry, they did not scruple to interrupt us frequently, by forcing us to answer their questions, which related chiefly to the customs of the French, particularly those of the women. As they observed our seamen address every one indiscriminately, they enquired with earnestness, whether the women were not tabooed in France; that is to say, whether they enjoyed the same liberty as most of those in their island.

The answer, by which we endeavoured to convey to them an idea of our customs, pleased them highly. They informed us, that the eguis (chiefs) of Tongataboo had several wives; and asked how many wives a French egui usually had. When