THE PACIFIC OCEAN, Sj 



which are connected by a low, flat ifthmus, appearing at firft v l l 79 \ 



like two feparate iflands. This deception continued on the ■ — -* 



South Weft fide, till we approached within eight or ten 

 league3 of the coaft, which, bending inward, to a great 

 depth, formed a fine capacious bay. The Wefternmoft point, 

 off which the fhoal we have juft mentioned runs, is made 

 remarkable by a frnall hillock, to the Southward of which 

 there is a fine fandy bay, with fcveral huts on the fhore, and- 

 a number of cocoa-nut trees growing about them. 



During the courfe of the day, we were vifited by feveral 

 of the natives, who came off to fell provifions ; and we foon 

 found, that they had heard of our late unfortunate tranf- 

 actions at Owhyhee. They were very curious to learn the 

 particulars, from a woman who had concealed herfelf on 

 board the Refolution, in order to take her pafFage to Atooi ; 

 inquiring eagerly after Pareea, and fome other Chiefs, and 

 appearing much mocked at the death of Kaneena, and his 

 brother. We had, however, the fatisfaction to find, that, in 

 whatever light the woman might have reprefented this bu- 

 finefs, it had no bad ell eel: on their behaviour, which was 

 remarkably civil and iubmiflive. 



The weather continued variable, during the night ; but in 

 the morning of the 25th, having the wind at Eaft, we ran Thurfday.25. 

 along the South fide of Ranai, till near noon ; after which r 

 we had calms and baffling winds till evening, when we 

 fleered, with a light Ealterly breeze, for the Weft part of 

 Morotoi. In the courfe of the day, the current, which, 

 from the time we left Karakakooa Bay, had fet from the 

 North Eaft, changed its direction to the South Eaft, 



During the night, the wind was again variable ; but early pm^ra*- 

 next morning, it fettled at Eaft, and blew fo frefh, as to 



oblige 



