142 VOYAGE TO THE 



chap, but none of them ventured to swim off to the boats, 

 v. 



Dec. 

 1825. 



probably on account of the sharks, which were very- 

 numerous. 



We quitted Crescent Island at day-light on the 

 29th, and about noon the same day were close off 

 Gambier's groupe. Several of these islands had a 

 fertile appearance, especially the largest, on which is 

 situated the peak we had seen the day before, and 

 which Mr. Wilson, in passing to the northward 

 of the groupe, named Mount Duff. It was probable, 

 that among these islands we should find a stream of 

 water from which our stock might be replenished, 

 provided an opening through the reef which sur- 

 rounds the volcanic islands could be found ; and as it 

 was of the highest importance that our wants in this 

 respect should be supplied, I determined closely to 

 examine every part of the groupe for an entrance ; 

 for in the event of not being so fortunate as to suc- 

 ceed here, it would be necessary to alter the plan of 

 operations, and proceed direct to Otaheite, the only 

 place where a supply of that indispensable article 

 could be depended upon. On approaching the island, 

 with the ship, we were gratified by perceiving that 

 the coral chain, which to the northward was above 

 water, and covered with trees, to the southward 

 dipped beneath it ; and though the reef could be 

 traced by the light blue-coloured sea, still it might 

 be sufficiently covered to admit of the ship passing 

 over it, and finding an anchorage in the lagoon. As 

 we were putting off from the ship in the boats to 

 make this interesting inquiry, several small vessels 

 under sail were observed bearing down to us. When 

 they approached we found they were large katama- 

 rans or rafts, carrying from sixteen to twenty men 



