94 OTAHITE CHAP, v 



since we have been upon the island, we have had as much 

 cloudy as clear weather, which makes us all not a little 

 anxious for the success. In consequence of hints from 

 Lord Morton, the captain resolved to send a party to the 

 eastward and another to Imao, an island in sight of us, 

 thinking that in case of thick weather one or the other 

 might be more successful than those at the observatory. I 

 resolve to go on the Imao expedition. 



1st June. The boat was not ready until after dinner, 

 when we set out : we rowed most of the night, and came 

 to a grappling just under the island of Imao. 



2nd. Soon after daybreak we saw an Indian canoe, and 

 upon hailing her she showed us an inlet through the reef 

 into which we pulled, and soon fixed upon a coral rock 

 about 150 yards from the shore as a very proper situation 

 for our observatory. It was about eighty yards long and 

 twenty broad, and had in the middle a patch of white sand 

 large enough for our tents. The second lieutenant and 

 people therefore immediately set about fixing them, while 

 I went upon the main island to trade with the inhabitants 

 for provisions, of which I soon bought a sufficient supply. 

 Before night our observatory was in order, the telescopes 

 all set up, and tried, etc., and we went to bed anxious for the 

 events of to-morrow. The evening having been very fine 

 gave us great hopes of success. 



3rd. Various were the changes observed in the weather 

 during the course of last night ; some one or other of us 

 was up every half-hour, and constantly informed the rest 

 that it was either clear or hazy. At daybreak we rose, and 

 soon after had the satisfaction of seeing the sun rise as clear 

 and bright as we could wish. I then wished success to the 

 observers, Messrs. Gore and Monkhouse, and repaired to the 

 island, where I could do the double service of examining the 

 natural produce and buying provision for my companions 

 who were engaged in so useful a work. Tarroa, the king 

 of the island, came to pay me a visit. After the first 

 internal contact was over, I went back to the observatory, 

 carrying with me Tarroa, his sister Nuna, and some of their 



