CHAP. VII. INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR. 18? 



war, in which he with others had been placed by Eadama. 

 A sort of proces verbal respecting the wreck of the " Eureka," 

 which the captain wished to have authenticated by his signa- 

 ture, in order to claim the insurance on the vessel, occupied 

 some considerable time ; after which the governor came and 

 examined with much interest the camera, which was standing 

 in the yard. The distinct definite figure of one of his atten- 

 dants, as shown on the ground glass, seemed greatly to excite 

 his curiosity, and he said, if I could stay two or three days 

 he should like to have his own portrait. I tried with the 

 chief, whose dress in the mean time had been brought, but 

 the sun was too far advanced ; and the prince appeared the 

 better reconciled to his disappointment from a hope which he 

 expressed of visiting Tamatave before I left the island. 



The following day being rainy, I was confined most of the 

 time to the house, where, notwithstanding the unfavourable 

 weather, I saw many of the natives. Several of those who 

 had spent the evenings with me brought small presents, such 

 as a basket of eggs, a fowl, or some neatly made little native 

 baskets, with other similar tokens of good will. Towards 

 evening the rain abated, and I walked out in company with 

 my friends along the sea-shore, to the spot where the wreck 

 had taken place. On my return the chief joined us, and we 

 had a most deeply interesting conversation. The remarks of 

 my friends during our walk, when they spoke of the vastness 

 and wonders of the deep, or the beneficence manifested in the 

 works of the creation, indicated a degree of reflection and 

 religious feeling which to me was exceedingly gratifying. 

 The evening was passed pleasantly in company with the 

 friendly natives of the place, and I arranged for my departure 

 at a very early hour in the morning, hoping by additional 

 bearers to reach Tamatave during the night. 



On the 9 th of September we were stirring while it was yet 

 dark, and the young chief, accompanied by one of his at- 



