1844.J ISLET OF GILOLO. 135 



as I wished to compare our boat chronometers with the 

 rest. If the breeze favoured the ship, so as to take her 

 to the Strait of Patientia, she was to anchor there and 

 await my arrival." 



Quitting the ship, about 7 o'clock, A.M., in the gig, 

 with orders for the barge to follow me to the small island 

 then in sight on the Gilolo shore, I proceeded to search 

 for the nearest terra firma which would enable me to fix 

 my instruments. On approaching the islet, I discovered 

 that a reef, or coral flat, extended a considerable distance 

 from it, and as it was then late, and gloomy weather pre- 

 vailed, I feared losing the sun altogether by any further 

 delay in seeking for more secure landing ; it was therefore 

 determined to create an islet for my instruments, by 

 piling up coral slabs upon the reef. It proved to be very 

 fragile, being as it were an underwood of coral trees into 

 which we sunk, by our own weight, about eighteen 

 inches ; I succeeded, however, by pounding with crow- 

 bars, in effecting my purpose, and managed to secure 

 the instruments firmly. 



The forenoon observations having been taken, we strolled 

 about the reef seeking shells and corallines, little appre- 

 hending the danger that was at hand. At noon I re- 

 turned to the instruments, to obtain the meridian alt. of 

 the sun, and had just completed this observation, when 

 several natives, who had approached to satisfy their curi- 

 osity, suddenly stole away, and I heard them use terms 

 signifying that they knew us to be Europeans. Shortly 

 after, we heard yells from the bushes, and upon looking 

 towards the island, distant about a quarter of a mile, we 

 observed two divisions, consisting of about forty men, 



