SPRING A LEAK. 51 



and in the following evening sailed from that 

 island, with winds from N. W. and very bois- 

 terous weather. The same contrary winds op- 

 posed our progress to the northward for several 

 days ; and we had not proceeded beyond the six- 

 teenth degree of south latitude, when it was dis- 

 covered that a leak in the bow of the ship, two 

 feet below water-mark, * and which had for some 

 time required a frequent use of the pumps, was 

 now so much increased as to require our imme- 

 diate return to Tahiti for its repair. We conse- 

 quently tacked to the S. E., and the wind being 

 favourable to our reversed course, reached Tahiti 

 on Saturday, the 22d of April, and cast anchor 

 in the tranquil harbour of Papeete Bay. 



The day of our arrival being the Sabbath at 

 this island, I landed in time to attend divine 

 service at Papeete Church, where Mr. G. Prit- 

 chard, the indefatigable missionary of this dis- 

 trict, officiated to a large congregation of na- 

 tives, including the queen, Aimata, and her hus- 

 band. The conduct of the two latter personages 

 was not, on this occasion, calculated to set a 

 good example to their subjects. The queen was 



* The precise situation of this leak was detected by the 

 use of a long bamboo, applied in the manner, and on the 

 principles, of the stethescope. 



E 2 



