fairly washing us off. Notwithstanding this, we determined
to commence next morning, and returned to make preparations,
in high spirits at the prospect of an occupation,
if not on terra lirma, a t least out of the ship, within whose
sides we had been confined so long. On returning, we
found that Captain Maxwell had arranged a party to visit
the small island and reef which we were so close to on the
14th instant; the survey was therefore postponed.
Jeeroo sent us off some fresh fish to-day; some were red,
and one or two b lu e : he came himself afterwards, and was
happy to find us much gratified by his present. A formal
message was sent to-day to the chiefs in attendance,
stating that both ships were in want of fresh water, and that
the boats must go on shore with casks to bring some off.
In a short time after.this message had been delivered, a
number of canoes came alongside with large tubs of water; a
strong proof of their alertness in getting rid of all our excuses
for landing, and a t the same time, it must be owned, of their
readiness to supply our wants. An elderly gentleman, not a
chief, visited us to-day, accompanied by his secretary. His
appearance and manners being greatly in his favour, we paid
him all the attention in our power. His wish was to be
permitted to go all over the ship a t his leisure; and in this
way he examined every thing on board with far more a ttention
than any body had done before him. His secretary,
who was equally inquisitive, accompanied him in order to
take notes. He employed himself for about six hours in
examining the upper deck, and never quitted any thing till
he understood its usé. While he was thus occupied, he was
attended by the sailors, who were pleased with his reverend
appearance, and very readily assisted the old man in his
enquiries.
I t was interesting. to observe, indeed, how early the
gentle and engaging manners of all classes here won upon
the sailors, no less than upon the officers. The natives from
the first were treated with entire confidence; no watch was
ever kept over them, nor were they excluded from any part
o f the ships ; and not only was nothing stolen, but when
any thing was lost, nobody even suspected for an instant,
that it had been taken by them.
The old man next came down to the cabin, where he
remained a long time examining the books and furniture,
and occasionally engaging in conversation with Mr. Clifford,
for whose Vocabulary he supplied many new words,
and corrected others which had been written down erroneously.
He would not accept any thing valuable, but
was grateful for samples of rope, canvas, and cloth. This