tion.

Being asked if he had understood what was said, he replied, there were no such things before in Otaheite; and they were not to be learned at once, but that he would wait the coming of the Eatooa (God.) Desiring to know if he might be permitted to attend again, he was told, yes. He and his wife dined with us, and departed.

CHAPTER II.

Departure of the Duff to the island Eimeo.-Description of Taloo Harbour.-Behaviour of the natives.-Return to Otaheite.

ON

N the 20th, the Duff was ready for sea, and as Peter the Swede had offered to accompany her in the voyage to the Friendly Islands and the Marquesas, the captain consented, thinking that he might be useful as an interpreter; and permitted a young woman named Tanno Manno, with whom Peter had cohabit

ed; also a man, and a boy. As the captain intended to lay a few days at Eimeo, to give an opportunity to the Missionaries to observe the disposition of the Otaheiteans towards them during the absence of the ship; and also to examine a vessel which was building there by the orders of Manne Manne, after the European construction.

On the 21st they weighed, and by ten o'clock they were off the north-east part of Eimeo, and kept running along the edge of the coral reefs towards Taloo harbour, and, at the distance of half a cable's length. The reef appeared to block up the harbour until they were nearly abreast of it, when a good entrance

shows itself. They run close up to the south-east corner of the harbour, and let go their anchor in ten fathoms water, and moored with the stream-cable to a remarkably large tree, which stands close to the water's edge; the steeple cliff at the head of the harbour, bearing S. by E.

Taloo harbour is on the north side of the island: the bottom so clear, that you distinctly see the coral, with its beautiful branches of various colours. The mouth of the harbour is about a quarter of a mile broad; the water of an amazing depth: this leads into a most delightful bay, about two miles wide, and three long. This bay is beautifully surrounded with trees: not the least agitation of the water is perceived on the beach, let the wind blow from what quarter it may, it is so perfectly land-locked. They lay under a mountain ten times as high as their top-gallantmast, and perpendicular. There is a fine fresh-water river running up some miles, which a boat can ascend a mile or two, and where the ships water with the greatest ease. The captain considered it the securest harbour he ever saw. This island is supposed to be about ten miles in length, and five in breadth. It appears to have suffered great convulsions either from earthquakes or other violent causes. Most of the hills are high, pointed at their tops, with broken rugged sides, particularly about Taloo harbour; from the entrance of which, they present a very striking and magnificent appearance. It has a narrow border of low land next the sea, from whence the hills rise in sudden acclivities; but from the northern side they

rise gradually. The lower hills and the valleys are the most fertile parts; which, without care or culture, are covered with luxuriant bread-fruit, cocoa-nut, and other trees and there are many of a different kind in the mountains; some very much like lignumvitæ : one small island is wholly covered with this wood. Being in quest of a tree of hard wood, they found one, but the axe would not stand against it, so they were obliged to use the hand-saw: it is called the toa or iron-tree.

After dinner they examined Manne Manne's vessel, and on their return gave but an unfavourable account of her. She was forty-two feet long, but disproportioned in her breadth, by being fuller aft than forward, and the timbers were too small for her size.

Though they staid here but a few days, there occurred frequent instances of the thievish disposition of the people. One very dark night, about 11 o'clock, the watch saw a naked native standing in the main chains; and on attempting to seize him, he leaped into the water, and made his escape, taking with him four yards of their electric chain: and even in the day-time, though not one of them was suffered to come on deck, they found means to steal the rudder out of the jolly-boat lying alongside. At another time while they were at dinner in the cabin, a canoe came close under the stern, and a tall fellow getting upon the back of the rudder, reached his hand up, and snatched away a book which lay just within the cabin windows; he then immediately fell back, and plunged into the water. This they heard, and start

ing up, insisted upon having the canoe brought alongside; but this was refused, and all the natives began to set off towards the shore. Thinking this action too daring to be overlooked, and clemency so often extended, only excited greater depredations, a few small shot were fired, which made them take to the water, and skulk behind the canoe. Two of the seamen in the jolly-boat tried in vain to catch the offender; for he, with the dexterity of a wild duck in the water, eluded all their attempts to lay hold of him and it was only with the help of the pinnace, and frightening him with a musket, that he was caught at last. When alongside, he trembled through fear of being put to death, and struggled hard to get into the water again; but making a rope fast round his body, he was hoisted on board, and lashed up to the rigging in sight of his countrymen, who stood ranged along the beach in expectation of seeing him punished. As Peter was on shore at this time, the delinquent was kept bound till he returned on board; in the mean while, the natives observing that nothing was done to him, came around them as before. When Peter arrived, he was desired to tell the man in what light his offence was considered, and that if he or any other person was found to do the like again, he would certainly be severely punished; and that the reason why he was suffered to escape, was merely because he had not been warned of the consequences before. To this he said, he would not do so again, and took his leave with joy in his countenance.