a great way from the shore. On each side of this group
of chiefs a gong was beat incessantly. On every side,
the rocks, the trees, houses, and boats, in short, every spot
was crowded with people, waving their hands, and cheering
us as we went along. This brilliant scene had less of
novelty in it, to be sure, than what we had witnessed at the
same place on the twenty-third of last month, but it was
still more pleasing, for we had now become acquainted with
many of the individuals forming this assemblage, and could
feel assured that their expressions of kindness and respect
W;ere sincere. On the first occasion, too, the natives being
ignorant of our intentions, were very generally alarmed at
our appearance; and accordingly, though there was much
curiosity shewn, a profound silence and stillness prevailed
over the whole crowd, very different from the friendly
shouts and signs with which they greeted us as we passed
among them to-day.
Precautions had been taken to prevent the ladies from
indulging their curiosity as they had done on the first visit,
not a female being seen any where.
26th of October.-^-Last night both the Alceste and Lyra
were illuminated. At nine o’clock a fe u de joie was fired,
and a number of fire-works let off from the yard-arms. A
great concourse of the natives, who had been apprised o f