138 Transactions. 



by tlie first of those officers to complete his plan. At the same time I sent 

 ashore twelve of the Natives mth whom we were still charged. Amongst 

 that number were Tehi-Noui and Koki-Hore, who here took leave of us, 

 and to whom I gave a quantity of powder — double that which I had pro- 

 mised. In seeing them depart I had sincere wishes for their safe return. 

 If they were destined to reach their own country, I felt sure they would 

 soon forget their ennui on board, and that they would recall with pleasure 

 the friendship and good treatment they had received. 



There remained on board only Shaki, Rau-Tangui, and two other chiefs, 

 whom I was glad to retain in my power until the return of the two boats. 

 At this time there arrived alongside a great number of canoes laden with 

 provisions, which the Natives disposed of peaceably and with great good 

 faith. They had many pigs, potatoes, and much Phormium fibre, all of 

 which we bought at reasonable prices. Towards 11 a.m. the boats returned 

 on board, and I hastened to put to sea to get rid of the Natives, whose cries 

 and babbling with the crew commenced to be excessive. We parted very 



cries to excite the ardour of the sailors, and presently themselves giving a hand with 

 noisy gaiety. They pulled so hard that, fearing to see the oars broken, I requested them 

 to remain as spectators of the operations. One of them, with an expressive pantomime, 

 undertook to demonstrate to us the superiority of their paddles over our oars ; these 

 last seemed to them of an inconvenient length, and required sevei-al men to move a 

 boat, whilst a single paddle would make a canoe fly, by using the paddle on alternate 

 sides. Another Native observed that each sailor turned his back to the direction in 

 which he was going, which made them all laugh heartily. Their attention was also 

 drawn to other objects. The rudder struck them particularly, and they gravely con- 

 sidered its utility, with frequent marks of a]>probation. The tiller was confided for a 

 moment to one of them, and the ]n'omptitude with whicli it changed the direction of 

 the boat in its rapid pace ravished them with admiration. I steered for the north point 

 of the bay, a route which made us pass along the reefs that separate Motou-Heka [Motu- 

 heka] and extend a mile and a quarter to the N.E. They form a line of rocks near which 

 are to be found 7 to 11 fathoms of water; we passed within a few feet. These reefs 

 are covered with several species of limpets, and I regretted not having time to 

 land. Not having more than a few moments to pass ashore, I took from its case 

 Rochon's micrometer. The brilliant colour of the brass suddenly attracted the atten- 

 tion of the Natives. I placed before the eye-piece a coloured glass, and, holding it to 

 the eye of my neighbour, I succeeded with some trouble in making him see the disc 

 of the sun. He explained at once to his companions that he saw the sun coloured red. 

 without being dazzled. I then replaced it with a green glass — another surprise. Lastly. 

 I moved the crystal prism, and the disc appearing double excited a cry of astonishment. 

 Each one desired to have the eye-piece in his hands, but we approached the land and 

 their curiosity was thus not satisfied. I wished to debark our ]>assengers before a little 

 village. Twenty houses and nine canoes haided up on the beach denoted a village of 

 abotit one hundred persons. They came running dowii to receive us withotit arms. 

 Some rocks bordering the coast prevented our coming close. They ottered to haul the 

 boat on to the shore, which usage is probably considered an honour in this country, 

 for our guests received the proposition with cries of joy. But I had no desire to abandon 

 myself to the discretion of fifty strong and jolly fellows, who were alreadj^ in the water 

 up to their waists. Seeing that they insisted. I made use of a ruse to get rid of them : 

 I traversed rapidly an inlet somewhat deep, landed the Natives, took the micrometric 

 distances whicli I wanted, and was in the boat again, to the great disappointment of 

 the crowd, which had been forced to run round the inlet, arriving just in time to see 

 us depart. Some young men defied us by chanting their war-song ; but we were by 

 that time at ease, and there was not a single stone on the rocks, which the waves clear 

 off each tide. I fired a shot to inform the second boat that our o]icrations were com- 

 plete, and it rejoined me on the way to the corvette. M. Dudemaine. who commanded 

 it, had been troubled by the Natives ; they, fully armed, surrounded the boat with 

 their canoes, endeavouring to take anything which fell into their hands, and refusing 

 obstinately to sell any of their arms ; the muskets, above all. excited their cupidity. 

 The distance from the corvette rendered them daring, and no doubt if the boat iiad 

 been alone they would have j)roceeded to some violence." 



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