66 SAIL FOR SYDNEY. 



coffin-like box, resting* upon a hollowed out log", the 

 bow havino- the two characteristic ornaments of the 

 tahicra, or head-board, and the crest-like carved 

 wood work running* out along' the beak. Some of 

 the natives were recognised as former visitors to the 

 ship. Nearty all were painted, chiefly on the face, 

 the favourite pattern being* series of white bars and 

 spots on a black g*round. Except their ornaments 

 and weapons, they had little to g*ive us for the iron 

 hoop so much in request with them j only a few 

 cocoa-nuts, and scarcely any yams were obtained, 

 and to the latter they attached a much hig'her value 

 than formerly. 



At leng'th the natives left us, three canoes making* 

 to the northward, and two returning* to the Ducha- 

 teau Isles. Morning* observations for rating* the 

 chronometers having* been obtained, Ave g*ot under 

 weig*h soon afterwards, and, bidding* farewell to the 

 Louisiade Archipelag*o, commenced our voyag*e to 

 Sydney. 



Our daily averng*e prog*ress during* the passag*e 

 to S^^dney (which occupied a period of twenty-eig*ht 

 days), was less than fifty miles. The winds for the 

 first few days, or until be3^ond the influence of the 

 land, were lig*ht and variable, shifting* between S.W. 

 and N.E. by the northward, and accompanied by 

 occasional squalls and rain. It became a matter of 

 difficulty to determine when we g*ot into the south- 

 east trade ; it was not until we had reached latitude 

 20" S. that the wind — lig-ht on the preceding* day. 



