TOWN OF HANARURO. 157 



quainted with these waters. Whoever wishes 

 to sail in between the islands of Wahu and 

 Morotai, must remember, that throughout the 

 year a strong current always sets here towards 

 the north-west ; and that the eastern point of 

 Wahu should be doubled within the distance 

 of three miles from the coast ; as farther out to 

 sea, calms are very prevalent here, whilst in the 

 neighbourhood of the land, a fresh breeze re- 

 gularly sets, in the morning, from the land, and 

 from noon till evening from the sea. 



Behind its harbour, safely sheltered by the 

 coral reefs, lies the town of Hanaruro, consisting 

 of irregular rows of dwellings scattered over an 

 open plain. Here and there among the huts 

 are seen houses built of stone in the European 

 fashion. The former lie modestly concealed, 

 under the cooling shade of palm-trees ; the 

 latter stand boldly forward, braving the burning 

 sunbeams and dazzling the eye by their over- 

 powering whiteness. Close to the shore the 

 fortress rears its strong turreted walls in a 

 quadrangular form, planted with cannon, and 

 bearing the striped national tlag of the Sand- 

 wich Islands. The country above the town 



