218 PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 
The longitude given -by Captain Bellings- 
hausen for the island which he discovered, ap- 
peared to us by 3’ 10” too great. 
On the morning of the 24th of March, we 
broke up our tent on the Venus Point, left our 
dwelling-house, and shipped all our instru- 
ments and effects. The afternoon was appoint- 
ed for our departure. The Tahaitians now 
boarded the ship, bringing as many provi- 
sions as they could carry. They expressed 
great regret at losing us; and, to prove the 
disinterestedness of their good-will, would ac- 
cept no presents in return. They unanimously 
assured us, that of all nations whose ships had 
visited their island, none pleased them so well 
as the Russians. They took leave of us with 
the most cordial embraces, and many of them 
shed tears. They accompanied us in their ca- 
noes to the mouth of the Bay, and were stand- 
ing out to sea, when a sudden and violent gust 
of wind forced them to return. The same gust 
very nearly carried away one of our sails, and 
the proximity of the land placed us for a mi- 
nute or two in a critical situation, but the cool- 
ness and skill of our officers and men relieved 
