PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. H^ 



much fondness as ever. Many, however, now think 

 it necessary to put on a bathing gown when they 

 take this recreation. 



The men make very tolerable seamen, and are par- 

 ticularly useful in boats. Accustomed from their 

 infancy to the water, they are as much at home in 

 that element as on land ; and having frequently en- 

 countered gales of wind at sea in their open canoes, 

 they have no apprehension of them on board a strongly 

 built ship. They are active and honest, and many of 

 them are taken on board merchant ships visiting the 

 islands, as part of their crews. 



In the course of time it is to be hoped that they 

 will become sufficiently enlightened to navigate their 

 own vessels, as they at present depend upon foreigners 

 for the performance of that service. Their vessels are 

 now generally chartered to Americans, who bear a 

 certain proportion of the expenses of the voyage, and 

 have carte blanche to proceed where they please, and 

 to collect, sell, and purchase cargoes at their discre- 

 tion, and as it may seem most advantageous for them- 

 selves and the owners, who divide the profits of the 

 venture at the end of the voyage. Their occupation 

 consists principally in trading with California and the 

 islands of the Pacific, or in making sealing voyages ; 

 in which case the skins they obtain are carried to 

 some foreign market, and the proceeds applied to the 

 purchase of a new cargo adapted to the wants of the 

 Sandwich Islanders ; such as horses, or furniture, and 

 other household materials. Upon the whole, these 

 returns are said to be by no means equal to the 

 risk and expenses of the voyage ; and the ships, 

 being built of slight materials, require constant repair, 



I 2 



