OCEANICMIGRATIONS. 155 



pieces of wood, joined together by lashings of sinnet, and resembled 

 in every respect those of Samoa. 



" As the natives showed no disposition to come near us, two boats 

 were sent to open a communication with them. At first they were 

 shy, and kept away, until some of our Sandwich islanders stripped 

 off their frocks, to display their dusky skins, and hailed them in 

 Hawaiian. They then approached, and entered into a trade, ex- 

 changing their mats and carved boxes, which must have cost them 

 weeks of labor, for a few fish-hooks or other trifles. When the boats 

 pulled towards the ship, they followed, and on coming near began 

 their song, at the same time holding up mats and paddles, and 

 shouting ' kafilou, tamatau,' trade, fish-hooks. They were dressed 

 exactly like the natives of Oatafu, and resembled them in personal 

 appearance. Their fine forms and manly looks were subjects of 

 general admiration, and their hearty laughter, when any thing struck 

 them as ludicrous, gave an impression of their good nature, which 

 was, perhaps, deceptive. They were very eager for trading, but 

 could not be induced to venture on board. 



" Preparations were immediately made for landing, and we pushed 

 off in three boats towards a knoll at the southwest point of the island. 

 Four or five of the canoes accompanied us. As we drew near, we 

 found a surf breaking on the reef, so heavy that we hesitated to enter. 

 By way of encouraging us, the natives got their canoes upon one of 

 the heaviest rollers, and paddling with great energy, rode safely in to 

 the beach. Finding that no better landing-place was to be had, we 

 followed their example, and met with as good success. 



" The islet was pretty high, and covered with a grove of cocoa-nut 

 trees, but there were no houses on it, and the natives gave us to 

 understand that their village was towards the southern end of the 

 island, some distance off. In answer to our inquiries, it appeared 

 that the name of the island was Fakaafo, the same as that which the 

 natives of Oatafu mentioned as the residence of their king. The 

 name of the Duke of Clarence's Island, which we passed yesterday, 

 was found to be Nukunono. The natives spoke of their own island 

 under the title of Fanua loa, or the ' great land,' thus showing that 

 they were not acquainted with any larger. They appeared, indeed, 

 to know the names of Viti, Tongatabu, and Samoa, but not the 

 direction in which they lay. The two other islands of their group 

 were the only ones with which they had any intercourse. 



" Their chief, whose name was Toupe, was said to be at the village. 



