32 T A H I T I. 



slow and fatiguing. They found the Ooaigarra very rapid, and were 

 compelled to cross it frequently. In this their clothing was an 

 encumbrance, for it remained wet, and was consequently heavy, 

 while the natives, being naked, became dry in a few minutes after 

 they emerged from the water. This toilsome descent occupied about 

 four hours. 



The first inhabited place they reached was Mirapahe, where the 

 Ooaigurra runs into the sea. This is situated on the south side of the 

 island, near the isthmus by which the two peninsulas are united. 



Most of the party were now exhausted by fatigue, so that it was 

 with some difficulty that any of them proceeded onwards to Ooari- 

 teeva, while a canoe was procured for those who were most overcome. 

 Here they were hospitably received by Teharo, the son of the 

 governor, Taati, who was himself absent, and took up their quarters 

 at the house of the latter. 



It was Wednesday evening, (by the account of the island,) and the 

 natives were attending lecture in the church. Some of our gentlemen 

 entered the congregation, and excited some sensation among the 

 younger part of the assembly ; far less, however, than would be 

 evinced should a Tahitian enter one of our churches. The service 

 was performed by a native, and consisted of praying, reading the 

 Bible, and singing. The old people appeared very devout, and it 

 was remarked that many of them were provided with spectacles, to 

 enable them to follow the reader in their own books. 



The reading was performed in a low monotonous tone, and the 

 hymn was sung to an old English tune, with considerable taste, by 

 the female part of the congregation. 



The assembly consisted of about one hundred persons, three- 

 fourths of whom were women, all dressed in the usual loose calico 

 goAvn, with large straw bonnets, and barefooted. 



In spite of the devotion manifested within the church, the conduct 

 of the women after the service was concluded, left room for believing 

 that their former licentiousness was not entirely overcome by the 

 influence of their new religion. 



When the service was over, nearly the whole congregation col- 

 lected, attracted by the sight of so large a number of white strangers. 

 According to their own account, the party, in their tattered and 

 soiled garments, was not in a condition to produce a very favourable 

 impression on these Polynesians. Still, it appeared from an address 

 made by their preacher, that he thought that in spite of their forlorn 



