CHARLES WILKES. 347 



up to the huts, were at once seized and shoved 

 down toward the boat and into the surf, where they 

 presented rather a ludicrous appearance, with the 

 danger of drowning on the one side, and the natives 

 on the other, who had them completely in their 

 power, as they had neither arms nor any other 

 means of defence. No harm, however, was done 

 them, but the alarm incident to being threatened 

 with spears. The only mishap met with was the 

 loss, by one of the gentlemen, of a pair of spec- 

 tacles, and a bruise or two from the coral, in their 

 hurried retreat. As the surf was heavy, life-pre- 

 servers were sent to those who could not swim ; and, 

 after much detention, they reached the boat in 

 safety. Had such a circumstance occurred at Cler- 

 rnont de Tonnerre, I am satisfied that most serious 

 consequences would have resulted to us." 



On the 1st of September the squadron reached 

 Vincennes Island, belonging to the Paumotu group. 

 Thence they proceeded to Carlshoff Island, twenty 

 miles farther to the westward. A careful survey of 

 both was made. Next came the island of Ahii. 

 " This island is not inhabited, and has only a small 

 boat-entrance into its lagoon on the west side. The 

 coral belt is similar to that last described; it was 

 found to be upwards of half a mile in width, and 

 was covered with the same kind of vegetation as 



