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 Nwna, and some of their 
