These were jewels of high value in the eyes of the Otaheitans.

The captain's stock in trade was by this time greatly exhausted; so that, if it had not been for the feathers, he would have found it difficult to have supplied the ship with the necessary refreshments.
Among other entertainments which our commander and the rest of the English gentlemen met with at Otaheite, one was a grand naval review.
The vessels of war consisted of a hundred and sixty large double canoes, well equipped, manned, and armed.

They were decorated with flags and streamers; and the chiefs, together with all those who were on the fighting stages, were dressed in their war habits.

The whole fleet made a noble appearance; such as our voyagers had never seen before in this sea, or could ever have expected.

Besides the vessels of war, there were a hundred and seventy sail of smaller double canoes, which seemed to be designed for transports and victuallers.
Upon each of them was a little house; and they were rigged with mast and sail, which was not the case with the war canoes.