XVII. 



17th October, 1858. 



Natives on board. — Good prospects of fresh provisions. — An interment on board.^ 

 A night scene. — Visit to the Island Group. — Faole. — Voyage trip to Sikayana. — 

 Narrative of an Enghsh sailor. — Cruelty of merchantmen in the South Sea 

 Islands. — Tradition as to the origin of the inhabitants of Sikayana. — A king. — 

 Barter. — Religion of the natives.— Trepang. — Method of preparing this sea-slug 

 for the Chinese market. — Dictionary of the native language. — Under sail — He de 

 Contrariete. — Stormy weather. — Spring a leak. — Bampton Reef. — Smoky Cape. — 

 Arrival in Port Jackson, the harbour of Sydney. 



The short distance at which we found ourselves from Si- 

 kayana, called Stewart's Island by the English, as also the 

 prospect of procuring there fresh provisions for the crew, 

 among whom after 66 days' confinement on board ship, some 

 symptoms of scurvy began to appear, determined our Com- 

 modore on spending a day there, and effecting a landing. 

 Towards afternoon, when we were about four or five miles dis- 



