146 VOYAGE TO THE 



CI ^ P - before mentioned dipping under water, in five, 

 v — ~v— ^ seven, and eight fathoms over a rugged coral bot- 

 1825. torn, and entered the lagoon, gradually deepening 

 the water to twenty-five fathoms. There was a con- 

 siderable swell upon the shallow part of the reef, but 

 within it the water was quite smooth. The first 

 island we approached had a bay formed at its eastern 

 angle, where the ship might ride in safety with 

 almost all winds. Night coming on, we anchored 

 the boat upon the bar, and caught a large quantity 

 of fish, consisting of several sorts of perca (vittata, 

 maculata), a labrus, and many small sharks. After 

 daylight we returned to the ship, and in the evening 

 anchored in the spot we had selected the day before. 

 As we entered the bay, the natives were observed 

 collected upon a low point, at one extremity of it, 

 hallooing, and waving pieces of white cloth. Almost 

 all of them had long poles, either pointed or tipped 

 with bone. Some had mats thrown over their shoul- 

 ders, and their heads and loins covered with banana 

 leaves cut into strips. They were much startled at 

 the noise occasioned by letting go the anchor, and at 

 the chain-cable running out, and gazed intently at 

 the different evolutions necessary to be gone through 

 in bringing the ship to an anchor, in furling sails, he. 

 No person came on board that night; but day- 

 light had scarcely dawned when one of the natives 

 paddled off to the ship upon a small katamaran : he 

 was quite naked, and had only a pole and a paddle 

 on the raft. For a considerable time he hesitated to 

 come alongside; but on our assuring him, in the 

 Otaheitan language, we were his friends, he was per- 

 suaded to make the attempt. After a little further 

 conciliation he made his raft fast by a rope that was 



