Barstow.—Stray Thoughts on Mahori and Maori Migrations. 233 
proposed, as the wind was fair and strong, to steer for Tahiti. They 
consented. We had no compass, so steered by the stars, as we supposed, 
due west. At 2 a.m. we shipped a sea which nearly filled the boat to the 
thwarts. We then lashed the oars, made a raft, and rode to it with four - 
fathoms of native rope, and had some bread which we found soaked. In 
about two hours the rope parted, and we got broadside on. I could not 
induce the natives to jump overboard and secure the raft, there was so 
much sea on, and a sea filled us. I put the boat before the wind with the 
steer oar, and the natives baled. We had to run, and did so for three 
days. On the fourth, having my sextant and epitome, found we were 80 
miles south of Tahiti, and supposed 150 miles to the westward. The 
weather now moderated, and I steered for north-west. Next day the 
natives insisted upon taking charge, and began steering after birds that 
passed. Our water was expended, but we caught a little during a shower. 
I allowanced the bread half a biseuit a day. On the seventh day they killed 
my dog, made a fire by rubbing two sticks, broke up some of the lining, 
and cooked the poor beast in the saucepan. I could not eat any. For five 
days now they steered west, hoping to make some island of the Hervey 
group. The water had been out two days, except a little mixed with 
brandy I had in a bottle, and with which I wet my lips at night. The 
natives now slept a great deal, and ran the boat about by day, lying to by 
night for fear of passing land. They would not follow my advice as to our 
course. On the nineteenth day our bread was completely expended, and 
the crew began howling and lay down to die. They now gave me charge, 
and I tried to get to the south, so as to reach Aitutaki. I had a little 
: laudanum, I mixed a little with salt water and took it, easing my pain. On 
the 24th day the natives ransacked my chest whilst I was asleep, and drank 
some laudanum, castor oil, and sugar of lead, which were in it. Two slept 
48 hours without waking after this. On the 28th day caught a little rain 
in a squall. One man became insane, and I induced the natives to give 
me up their knives and hatchets for fear he should do harm. I dropped 
them over the side and felt more comfortable. On the next day he died and 
was thrown overboard. On the 81st day a youth died, and on my going for- 
ward to do something with the jib, his father threw me overboard, but I 
caught the gunwale and clambered in. We had no more rain, and on the 
85th day two more died. They had eaten the leather from the rowlocks and 
part of the sails. On the 36th day two more died and were thrown over- 
board, leaving only myself and another, and on the next day he succumbed. 
Being an enormously big man I had much trouble to throw him out. 
* I was now alone and so weak I could not hold the steer oar, so I lashed 
it amidships, and laid myself down in the bottom of the boat. While lying 
Dl 
