M7?ch portunity of fhewing their dexterity in catching a fmall kind o f bonetto ;
> i not only an amufing but a profitable employment. A fmall canoe is
paddled as quick as polfible by three or four people, whilft another is in
the (fern with a filhing rod, a very fine line, and a neat fmall hook;
this hook pafling fwiftly through the water, is taken by the bonetto for a
fmall filh, and to increafe the deception, the angler is conftantly throwing
water about his hook with his hand, in order that it may be the
lefs diftin&ly feen ; fo that almoll the inftant he throws it into the fea,
it is taken by the bonetto. This mode of filhing was conduced with fo
much dexterity, that we faw great numbers taken, but did not obferve
one that had been hooked to efcape. We were not only entertained with
the fport, but it furnilhed an explanation of the general and rigid taboo all
o-ver the ifland at the time we arrived on the coaft. It now appeared to
have been in confequence of the feafon haying commenced for the taking
o f thefe filh, which are exceedingly good to eat when frelh, and being
caught in abundance, make a very conliderable part of the food of the
inhabitants when preferved and Sited.
In the evening Kahowmotoo with all the natives took their leave, after
alluring us of a continuance of their friendlhip, and exprefling the
higheft fatisfa&ion and happinefs at our vifi't. Our two countrymen,
Young and Da-vis, bid us alfo farewel with ;a degree of reluftance that
did credit to their feelings.
It may not be improper to ftate in general terms, that I became perfectly
convinced that the caufe of thefe two men being left on Ihore at
Owhyhee was not defertion, nor their own choice ; nor did it arife
from their having been difmiffed by the commanders of veflels under
whom they had ferved, for improper conduft and unruly behaviour; but
from a feries o f events impolfible to fbrefee or provide againft. Their
behaviour on the ifland had been meritorious in the higheft fenfe of the
word; fupporting by their character [for they poffefled nothing elfe):
fuch a degree of confequence, that whilft it Mured them the refpect,
it engaged the affeftions and regard, of the natives; and of no one more
than of the king himfelf, who did not fail to liften to their ceunfel and
advice; and I am well perfuaded we had been much indebted for- our
very
very friendly and hofpitable reception, as alfo for the orderly, and ^ 798-
civil behaviour we experienced.from the generality of the inhabitants, by
their attention to the inftruCtions and example'of thefe our countrymen.
That they might be encouraged to’ continue in the exercife of thofe
virtuous principles which they had taught, I gave them a written tefti-
monial of their good conduft; and in the moft ferious manner enjoined
them to perfevere in the path that their, own good underftanding had.
pointed ou t; and at all times to be ufeful and aflifting. to the fubje&s of
every civilized power, who might retort to. Owhyhee, From the king-
and the principal, chiefs I obtained a promife of the continuance o f their
protection, not only to their perfons, but to their property alfo'; particularly,^
large aflbrtment of ufeful and neceflary articles that I had given
them; as we'll for their own comfort-, and for the fupport of the. confequence
they had hitherto maintained, as for the- purpofe. of introducing
fuch things into ufe among!! the.inhabitants.
I appointed, to meet the king and his friends, with Young and Davis;
on my return to the iflands from the coaft o f America, in the bay between
the eaft and north-eaft points of Owhyhee; where I had been,
given to underftand. there was a commodious bay or port, that afforded
fecure and good anchorage.
The following aftronomical obfervations. made at Karakakooa, will
conclude the narrative of our tranfaftions during our ftay at. Owhyhee,
This ifland we quitted about eight in the evening, and direfted our.
courfe, clofe hauled, towards the eaft end of Mowee.
A s t r o n omi c a l O b s e r v a t i o n s ;
On the 24th of february Kendall’s chronometer lhewed the longitude
at the obfervatory to be, according to,the Mofiterrey rate . 206° 17' 15'
Arnolds on board the Chatham, ditto. 203 39
Ditto, No. 14, ditto ditto 204 43 15
Ditto, Nó. 176,. ditto ditto. - 204 10 15
Earnlhaw’s ■ ditto. . - . ditto >_ 203 27 39.
Y o l . II. Z On.