the last, and indeed only favour we could grant him. Thus
we quitted this inhospitable shore, after a stay of not quite
an hour, in which time we had never been twenty yards
from our own boats. We saw the village, however, to some
advantage; it is neatly built, and very pleasantly situated
under fine trees, in a valley cultivated like a garden, in
small square patches.
I t was now determined to prosecute the voyage to the
southward, and the Lyra was accordingly ordered to proceed
as usual to sound the passages a-head of the frigate, but had
not gone far before the Alceste, still at anchor, was observed
to be surrounded with boats. In about an hour she
weighed and stood to sea. Captain Maxwell had received
another visit from the old Chief, whose appearance was described
as being quite altered; his sprightliness and curiosity
all gone, and his easy unceremonious manner exchanged for
cold and stately civility: he looked embarrassed and unhappy,
as it appeared, from an apprehension of having
offended Captain Maxwell. When this was discovered, no
pains were spared to convince him that, in this respect, there
was not the slightest cause for uneasiness. He would not
accept any presents, but appeared much relieved by the
unexpected kindness with which he was received, and
before he went away, was restored, in some degree, to his
wonted spirits. When looking over the books in the cabin,
he was a good deal taken with the appearance of a Bible,
but when offered to him he declined it, though with such
evident reluctance, that it was again shewn to him ju st as
he was pushing off in his boat, and he now received it with
every appearance of gratitude, and took his leave in a
manner quite friendly.
We quitted this bay without much regret. The old
Chief, indeed, with his flowing beard, and pompous array,
and engaging manners, had made a strong impression upon
us a ll; but his pitiable and childish distress, whatever might
have been the cause, took away from the respect with which
we were otherwise disposed to regard h im : yet this circumstance,
though it makes the picture less finished, serves
to give it additional interest; whilst every thing ridiculous
in the old man's character is lost in the painful uncertainty
which hangs over his fate.
From this bay we steered amongst the islands, during all
the 6th and 7th, to the S. W. before the natives were met
with again; we saw them indeed, but never got near enough
to converse with them. They were frequently observed seated
in groups watching us on the islands which we passed. We
saw several fishing-boats, with a crew of about a dozen men,
crowded on a sort of poop. At a little distance these boats