222 VOYAGE TO THE 



C vnf* nam es of the missionaries residing there, and proved 

 v -^v^»-' that thev could both read and write. 



Feb 



1826. To their solicitation to return in the ship to Ota- 



heite, as their numbers on shore amounted to forty 

 persons, I could not yield, and I pointed out to them 

 the impossibility of doing so ; but that we might 

 learn the real history of their adventures, I offered 

 a passage to the man who first ascended the side, as 

 he appeared the most intelligent of the party. The 

 poor fellow was at first quite delighted, but suddenly 

 became grave, and inquired if his wife and children 

 might accompany him, as he could on no account 

 consent to a separation. Our compliance with this 

 request appeared to render him completely happy ; 

 but still fearful of disappointment, before quitting 

 the ship he sent to ask if I was in earnest. 



The next morning, on landing, we found him, his 

 wife, and family, with their goods and chattels, upon 

 the beach, ready to embark, and all the islanders 

 assembled to take leave of them ; but as we wished 

 to examine the island first, we postponed this cere- 

 mony until the evening. The little colony gave us 

 a very friendly reception, and conducted us to their 

 village, which consisted of a few low huts, similar to 

 those at Barrow Island ; but they had no fruit to 

 offer us, excepting pandanus-nuts, which they dis- 

 liked almost as much as ourselves, and told us they 

 had been accustomed to better fare. 



In their huts we found calabashes of water sus- 

 pended to the roof, mats, baskets, and every thing 

 calculated for a sea-voyage ; and not far from them 

 a plentiful store of fish, raised about four feet above 

 the ground, out of the reach of the rats, which were 

 very numerous. They had clothing sufficient for 



