PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 179 



sandy beach, behind which there is a thick wood of 

 bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees ; above it, to the 

 left, there is a second or upper village, upon a level 

 piece of ground, where the natives retreat in case of 

 necessity. The bay would be very desirable for an 

 anchorage, were it not for the coral knolls at its 

 entrance, which make the navigation difficult even 

 for a boat. After this visit, the boats were again 

 sent surveying ; and on the 12th we had completed 

 all that our time would admit of, by fixing the 

 position of a number of coral knolls which are dis- 

 persed over the navigable part of the lagoon, the 

 greater part of which may be seen from a ship's 

 mast-head before she comes upon them. Our only 

 want afterwards was a little fire-wood ; and having 

 noticed several logs lying upon the shore abreast of 

 the ship, Mr. Belcher was sent to purchase them. 

 The natives readily disposed of their property, and 

 were very friendly as long as they were receiv- 

 ing presents ; but directly he attempted to take 

 away the trees, the islanders collected in the wood, 

 and pelted the boat's crew with stones. Three logs 

 were however got off, and Mr. Belcher was putting 

 in for more, when, the natives again beginning to 

 throw stones, he desisted. 



It is to be regretted that the disposition of the 

 natives obstructed the friendly intercourse we were 

 anxious to establish. The task of correcting their 

 evil propensities unfortunately devolved upon us, as 

 the first visiters to the islands ; and we could not 

 prolong our stay, or devote the time that was neces- 

 sary while we did remain, to conciliate their friend- 

 ship. But though unsuccessful in this respect, it is 

 to be hoped that our visit will prove beneficial to 



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