MARQUESAS ISLANDS. 



We whaled on the equator, crossing it almost 

 daily, until we arrived in the longitude of the 

 Marquesas, or Washington Islands, when we 

 hauled south, and made the fine harbor in 

 Nukahiva, for a stay of two weeks to procure 

 wood, water, potatoes, bananas, etc. The natives 

 of these islands at this time, 1837, were con- 

 sidered the handsomest race of all the islands of 

 the Pacific Ocean, — the men of fine stature, the 

 women of delicate features and of quite light 

 complexion. The inhabitants of the port were 

 friendly, but needed close watching, as their 

 thieving propensities were very strong. On all 

 other parts of the island they were very savage 

 and cannibals. When leaving this island, we 

 took with us an Englishman and a Sandwich 

 Islander as interpreters, and ran over to the 

 island of Roa Poua, — about thirty miles distant 

 and one of the same group, — for further recruits 

 and pigs. Arriving after a few hours' sail, the 

 captain, with two boats' crews and interpreters, 

 pulled in to the principal bay ; and, after telling 

 the chief what was wanted, left the Sandwich 

 Islander (who was of large stature, fat and sleek) 



