AT ANCHOR. 147 
floated the national standard of Tahaiti. This 
flag displays a white star in a field of red, and, 
like many of the present arrangements, owes its 
origin to the Missionaries, who do not indeed 
bear the title of Kings of the island, but exer- 
cise an unlimited influence over the minds of 
the natives. We passed safely by the shallows 
lying before the Matawai Bay, (upon which Cap- 
tain Wallis grounded, and which he called, after 
his ship, the Dolphin,) round the headland, to 
the western side, and at last anchored opposite 
the village of Matawai, at a distance of two 
hundred fathoms from the shore, in a black clay 
bottom of fifteen fathoms depth. 
Our frigate, as it entered the Bay, attracted 
to the beach a crowd of curious gazers, who 
greeted our arrival with a shout of joy. Nu- 
merous boats laden with all kinds of fruits, 
provisions, and other articles of merchandize, 
immediately put off from the shore, and we 
were soon surrounded by gay and noisy Tahai- 
tians. As soon as the sails were taken in, I 
gave them permission to come on board, of which 
they eagerly availed themselves. With their 
wares on their backs, they climbed merrily up 
Bee 
