NATIVES ON BOARD. 339 



old berth, in 14 fathoms. As soon as the brig was 

 secured, Mr. Hill and myself commenced a survey 

 of the harbour, with which we were rather disap- 

 pointed, as on further examination the water proved 

 to be too deep for convenient anchorage. 



June 21 . — The natives came on board in great 

 numbers, bringing abundance of yams, cocoa-nuts, 

 bananas, pumpkins, and a few fowls. As our 

 usual hour for divine service approached, Mr. Earl 

 explained to them what we were going to do, and 

 that they must go on shore till we had finished; but 

 the chiefs requested so earnestly to be allowed to 

 remain, that I permitted them to do so, upon the 

 condition that they would be quite silent during the 

 service. This they promised, and seating them- 

 selves on the hammock nettings all round the ship, 

 remained the whole time most quiet and attentive 

 spectators of the scene before them, which they 

 seemed to understand and appreciate perfectly. 



In the afternoon we landed, and accompanied by 

 one of the chiefs, walked into the interior of the 

 island for some distance. The country was very low, 

 and covered with an impenetrable jungle, through 

 which a path had been cut with considerable care ; 

 on each side, we noticed some patches of ground 

 surrounded by stone walls, very neatly constructed. 

 Our guide informed us that they had been farms, 

 but the soil was exhausted. As only the underwood 

 had been cleared away, the crop must have been 

 produced beneath the shade of the large trees, 



z 2 



