110 FROM RADACK TO 



Our distance from the island of Kawen was, in 

 a direct line, twenty-four miles. 



The 19th of February, at six o'clock in the 

 morning, we were under sail, and ran along the 

 chain, which consists entirely of small islands, to 

 the south. After we had sailed ten miles, it sud- 

 denly turned to S. E. j in this direction we dis- 

 covered a pretty large island, and perceived that 

 we were on the S. E. point of the group Kawen, 

 which here first turns to W. and then to N. AV., 

 and thus forms a bay. I directed my course to tlie 

 largest island, which we afterwards learnt was 

 called Airick ; and as we were approaching it, more 

 islands were descried from the mast-head, over the 

 reef to the south, which we soon recognized 

 to be the group of Aur. At nine o'clock we cast 

 anchor sixty fathoms from the island of Airick, in 

 eight fathoms' water, and found this anchoring- 

 place to be in every respect very excellent. Airick 

 is about the size of Torua, but afforded a more 

 beautiful prospect than any of the islands whicli 

 we had yet visited. The whole shore was thickly 

 planted with palm-trees, under whose shade many 

 habitations were scattered; some boats were under 

 sail, others lying at anchor, as if we were in a 

 much frequented harbour. As we were so near 

 the shore we could observe all the movements of 

 the savages, who assembled in crowds to gaze at 

 the wonderful great Oa, While we w^ere putting 

 the ship in order, some of our gentlemen went 

 on shore, and we saw them received with pahn 



