THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 243 



in its power to render the water fresh that is, if it takes the 

 water upward. I have observed this interesting phenome- 

 non off Panama Bay, where the spouts abound in the rainy 

 season ; also on the Line, in the Gulf Stream, and in the In- 

 dian Ocean. I have seen thirty, perhaps, of varying sizes, 

 in a single day ; but I never knew it to rain salt-water, nor 

 have I heard of any one else doing so." 



The visit was at an end ; Captain West went to his own 

 ship, and our mate's boat returned, with some interesting- 

 books, secured in exchange for those which we had exhausted. 

 The Gfibbs squared her yards and stood away to leeward, 

 and she and her pleasant captain and crew passed away. 



On the evening of the 6th we raised the high mountain 

 peaks of Maui, as they loomed sharply in the western sky, 

 above a heavy ledge of clouds which obscured the setting 

 sun. So far I realize visions created by reading the charm- 

 ing accounts in Cook's voyages of these favorite islands, on 

 one of which he lost his life. 



Jan. 7. Passing near the islands Rhani and Morotoi, to- 

 ward evening we ran in for Diamond Head, and dropped 

 anchor outside the coral reef between the head and the nar- 

 row entrance into the harbor of Honolulu. On account of 

 heavy gusts which swept from the mountain gorges, we sent 

 down the light spars, and made every thing snug alow and 

 aloft, with both anchors down. The captain ordered his 

 boat on shore. The wind was strong and dead ahead, and 

 we had a hard and wet pull. As we approached the pier, I 

 was surprised at the number and size of the houses built in 

 the American style. The pier was well built out of hewn 

 coral. The fort to the right seemed of considerable strength ; 

 the guns were small, but commanded the harbor and its ap- 

 proach. * ie y 



The captain left the boat at the pier, with orders that ajtr- 

 crew should remain by her, and not wander into the towi,* 



