1786. This part of theifland affords but few cocoa-nuts, or plantains;
. - _ ■' vegetables in the greatefl plenty are bread-fruit, and fweet potatoes.
Among the various curiofities brought by the natives to fell,
were a kind of bafkets, about eighteen inches high, and five or fix
inches in diameter, of a circular form, and exceeding neatly made.
The wicker work o f which they were made was frequently variegated
with twigs of a red colour, and had a pretty cffedl. Thefe
bafkets were quite new to us, having feen nothing of this fort
when at the iflands before.
The morning of the 19th being very fine, and the weather pro-
mifing, Captain Portlock paid us a vifit, and propofed flaying the
greatefl part of the day; but a flrong breeze fpringing up from
South Weft, he went on board his own fhip early in the afternoon.
Mowee at this time bearing Weft of us, it was determined to make
the Eaftermoft point, and come to anchor there.
I fhall conclude for the prefent; butnotwithflanding the variety
which furrounds us, will refume my pen very , loon.1 Adieu.,
Thine, &c.
O ff Sandwich Islands,
20th November. I
W . B..
>
L E T T E R
L E T T E R XXL
1786.
November.
CO N T R A R Y winds, and unfettled weather, fruftrated our
defign of anchoring at Mowee ; but let me lead thee to this
difappointment in courfe.
In the afternoon of the 19th November, the wind blew frefh at
South W eft; and towards evening, increafed to a flrong gale,
attended with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain; on which we
lay to during the night under a clofe-reefed main top-fail, wearing
occafionally, and taking every method to guard againft any mif-
chief we might receive from fudden gulls of wind, which frequently
are felt amongft thefe iflands.
The morning of the 20th being pretty moderate, the wind ftill
South Weft, we made fail, and flood for the Eaftermoft point of
Mowee, fleering Weft North Weft; but about noon, as we got
under the lee of the land, the breeze leffened, and we had nearly a
calm. Several canoes came off to us, but what they brought to fell
.was very trifling, being only three or four fmall pigs, a few potatoes,
and a little bread-fruit. At noon, the North Weft end of
Mowee bore Weft North Weft, five or fix leagues diftant; the
weather was extremely hot and fultry; the thermometer being 90
degrees. Having light baffling winds during the afternoon, we
kept Handing along fhore, in order to purchafe whatever refrefh-
ments the inhabitants brought to us.
I The