PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 117 



form solid squares ; and when engaged, presented a 

 formidable phalanx, which it was not easy to force. 



Among other services which we performed for the 

 king was an inspection of his cannon in the forts, 

 some of which were so corroded, that in all proba- 

 bility their discharge would have been productive of 

 serious accidents to some of his subjects. We also 

 furnished him with twenty tons of stones, which we 

 had taken in at Chamisso Island as ballast, to be used 

 in rebuilding the wall of his mud fort. 



It is unnecessary to describe further the inhabitants 

 of a country which has already been the subject of 

 several volumes. Enough has been said to show 

 that the people are fast imbibing foreign customs, 

 and daily improving both in their manners and 

 dress. 



The harbour of Honoruru is the general rendezvous 

 of all the whale ships employed in the North Pacific 

 Ocean. In the spring time these vessels assemble 

 here to the number of forty or fifty sail at a time, and 

 take on board large supplies of vegetables and fruit, 

 as sea stock, to enable them to remain upon their 

 fishing ground until the autumn, when many of them 

 return to the port. The fresh provision which they 

 procure at these islands is of the greatest advantage to 

 the crews of the whalers, who would otherwise be af- 

 flicted with scurvy ; and the goods which they give in 

 exchange are very acceptable to the inhabitants. A 

 number of idle dissolute seamen however, discontented 

 with their ships, generally remain behind, and live in 

 the public houses until their money and clothes are 

 expended, or attach themselves to females, and in 

 either way become dependent upon the inhabitants 

 for food. These characters do infinite mischief to the 



