ARRIVAL AT TUTUILLA. 81 



CHAPTER VII. 



FROM TUTUILLA TO AUSTRALIA, OR NEW SOUTH WALES. 



At 9 P. M., October 10th, we bade adieu to Tahiti, and 

 steered to the westward. 



On the 18th we descried land, bearing northwest, which 

 proved to be Tutuilla, one of the Samoan, or Navigator 

 Islands. At meridian kept away for it, and shortly after- 

 ward anchored in the harbor of Pango-Pango. We had no 

 difficulty in entering this port. The principal danger is a 

 large rock, which is situated near the middle of the passage ; 

 but is easily seen, as the surf breaks upon it at all times. 



It is a beautiful harbor ; the land all around rises abruptly, 

 some places perpendicularly from the water to the height 

 of a thousand feet or more, and everywhere it is covered 

 with the most luxuriant vegetation ; even the rocks are covered 

 with festoons of creeping-plants. It likewise abounds in fresh 

 water ; several fine streams are visible from our decks. 



The shores are thickly studded with houses, and they differ 

 materially in shape and construction from any we have before 

 seen. They are circular in form, with a high conical roof 

 coming down to about five feet from the ground — the space 

 between the eves and the ground being shut in by mats, which, 

 when the weather is pleasant, are rolled back, and thus the 

 fresh breeze circulates through every part of the dwelling. 



There are many runaway sailors, and some Botany Bay 

 convicts, living on this island. 



