124 VOYAGE TO THE 



pared with those taken the first night the instru- 

 ment was put up, gave good rates to the chronome- 

 ters. Our labours having thus terminated more 

 successfully than we expected, we hastened our 

 embarkation, which took place on the 21st. In re- 

 turn for the kindness we experienced from the 

 islanders, we made them presents of articles the 

 most useful to them which we could spare, and they 

 were furnished with a blue cloth suit each from the 

 extra clothing put on board for the ship's company, 

 and the women with several pieces of gowns and 

 handkerchiefs, &c. 



When we were about to take leave, our friends 

 assembled to express their regret at our departure. 

 All brought some little present for our acceptance, 

 which they wished us to keep in remembrance of 

 them ; after which they accompanied us to the 

 beach, where we took our leave of the female part 

 of the inhabitants. Adams and the young men 

 pushed off in their own boat to the ship, determined 

 to accompany us to sea as far as they could with 

 safety. They continued on board, unwilling to 

 leave us, until we were a considerable distance from 

 land, when they shook each of us feelingly by the 

 hand, and, amidst expressions of the deepest concern 

 at our departure, wished us a prosperous voyage, 

 and hoped that we might one day meet again. As 

 soon as they were clear of the ship they all stood up 

 in their boat, and gave us three hearty cheers, which 

 were as heartily returned. As the weather became 

 foggy, the barge towed them towards the shore, and 

 we took a final leave of them, unconscious until the 

 moment of separation of the warm interest their 

 situation and good conduct had created in us. 



