296 TIMIDITY OF THE NATIVES. 
which the heavens themselves appeared to smile. 
It was an uncommonly fine day, and a fresh 
and favourable wind carried us quickly towards 
land. Our inquiring glances soon showed us 
from the deck, on the island Otdia, the airy 
groves of palms which enclose the residence of 
Rarik, and under whose shade I had so often 
sat among the friendly islanders. We could 
now distinguish boats sailing about on the in- 
ner basins, from one island to another, and a 
crowd of people running to the shore to gaze at 
the ship. I knew my timid friends too well, 
not to guess what was passing in their minds. 
I had indeed, on parting from them, promised 
to visit them again, but the length of time 
which had since elapsed had probably extin- 
guished this hope; and they would easily per- 
celve that the great three-masted ship they now 
saw was not the small two-masted Rurik of 
their acquaintance. If, therefore, the first 
glimpse of the vessel had flattered them with 
the expectation of seeing me again, their plea- 
sure had been ere this converted into fear. 
Uncertain how they might be treated by the 
strangers, the women and children fled to the 
