54f FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS 



called the seventeenth island, Ormed, and an island 

 in general, Enns. 



The J 9th : our friend from the Goat Island ar- 

 rived here to-day, but did not venture nearer than 

 twenty fathoms from the ship, and, after showing 

 us cocoa-nuts, and speaking a great deal, hastened 

 to the island of Ormed. This man, who had no 

 reason to complain, as he had received many pre- 

 sents, could not conquer his fear. They admired 

 the ship very much at a distance, gesticulated, and 

 spoke with vehemence, and repeated particularly 

 often, Ellip Oaf (large boat). I have observed that 

 the inhabitants of this group advantageously 

 distinguish themselves from those of Easter and 

 Penrhyn*s Islands, by their mature consideration 

 and reflection, with which the others do not trouble 

 themselves. After I had determined the situation 

 of the place, I went on shore in the afternoon ; 

 my friend of the Goat Island had already intro- 

 duced me as the Tamon Oa Ellip (commander of 

 the great boat) ; and they all ran to the shore to 

 meet me. A very old man, with a venerable coun- 

 tenance, and a long grey beard, whom, from his 

 look, I took for the chief, said, Aidara ! presented 

 me with some cocoa nuts, and invited us to go to 

 his hut which was just by, where elegant mats 

 were spread out between four posts, in the middle 

 of which I was invited to sit down. The rest of 

 the company, men, and some very pretty women. 



