CHAPTER VI. 



NEW SOUTH WALES. 

 1839. 



On the 10th of November we weighed anchor from Apia, and 

 made all sail to the westward; and on the 11th had lost sight of 

 Savaii. Officers were stationed for the three following nights to look 

 out for the periodic showers of meteors, but the nights were cloudy, 

 and none were seen. 



On the 12th we made Uea or Wallis Island, and at 3 p. m. were 

 off its southern end, which is situated in latitude 13° 24' S., longitude 

 176° 09' 22" E. Instead of a single island, as might be expected from 

 the name, there are nine separate islands, varying in circuit from one 

 to ten miles, and enclosed within one extensive reef. The land is, in 

 general, high. We made a running survey of this group. 



While off Wallis Island, we were boarded by a canoe, in which 

 was a native who spoke a little English. I had thus the means of com- 

 municating with the shore, and resolved to take advantage of it by 

 landing the prisoner Tuvai. I conceived that this would accomplish 

 all the ends I had in view in removing him from his native island, 

 particularly as the course of the wind is such, for the greater part of 

 the year, as to prevent canoes proceeding from Wallis Island to the 

 Samoan Group, and there is in conseqtience no communication 

 between them. His fate would of course remain a mystery to his 

 countrymen, and the impression I had hoped to produce on their 

 minds would be effectually made. My original intention had been 

 to land him at Hoorn Island, which is two days' sail further to the 

 south, but a similar opportunity might not perhaps have presented 

 itself there. 



Having decided on this course, I committed him to the charge 



vol. ii. 42 



