177'k ROUND THE WORLD. 17 



deck near the fore-part. It is made to lean or in- 

 cline very much forward ; the head is forked; on the 

 two points of which the yard rests, as on two pivots, 

 by means of two strong cleats of wood secured to 

 each side of the yard, at about one-third its length 

 from the tack or heel, which, when under sail, is con- 

 fined down between the two canoes, by means of 

 two strong ropes, one to and passing through a hole 

 at the head of each canoe ; for, it must be observed, 

 that all the sailing vessels of this sort are double. 

 The tack being thus fixed, it is plain that, in changing 

 tacks, the vessels must be put about ; the sail and 

 boom on the one tack will be clear of the mast, and 

 on the other it will lie against it, just as a whole 

 mizzen. However, I am not sure if they do not 

 sometimes unlace that part of the sail from the yard 

 which is between the tack and mast-head, and so 

 shift both sail and boom leeward of the mast. The 

 drawings which Mr. Hodges made of these vessels 

 seem to favour this supposition, and will not only 

 illustrate, but in a manner make the description of 

 them unnecessary. The out-riggers and ropes used 

 for shrouds, &c. are all stout and strong. Indeed, 

 the sail, yard, and boom, are all together of such an 

 enormous weight, that strength is required. 



The summit of Amattafoa was hid in the clouds 

 the whole day, so that we were not able to determine 

 with certainty whether there was a volcano or no ; 

 but every thing we could see concurred to make us 

 believe there was. This island is about five leagues 

 in circuit. Oghao is not so much ; but more round 

 and peaked. They lie in the direction of N. N. W. 

 J W. from Anamocka, eleven or twelve leagues 

 distant : they are both inhabited ; but neither of them 

 seemed fertile. 



We were hardily through the passage before we 

 got a fresh breeze at south. That moment, all the 

 natives made haste to be gone, and we steered to the 

 west, all sails set. I had some thoughts of touching 



VOL. IV. C 



