HAWAII. 221 



putting up a signal on the north point was upset in the surf, and 

 narrowly escaped being drowned. He was saved by the Kanakas, 

 who were part of the boat's crew. The surf, as I have before re- 

 marked, is too heavy to allow a boat to land on this shore. 



An accident also occurred to the launch, while watering, during 

 our stay. Mr. Vanderford, who had charge of her, was passing out 

 of the Wailuku river, off the point of which the boat entered the 

 breakers, and a heavy roller capsized her : being heavily laden with 

 water, she sunk, and drifted out, leaving those who were in her in 

 danger of drowning. Mr. Vanderford could not swim, but a native 

 came at once to his assistance, who, however, would do nothing until 

 he was promised two dollars, which of course a drowning man was 

 not long in doing, when he acted promptly and rescued the officer 

 from drowning. 



In order to give the native a lesson as to his conduct in demanding 

 money in such a situation, he was told that he would have received 

 twice as much if he had not made the demand. It is due, however, 

 to this fellow to say, that in all probability he never imagined there 

 was any danger of loss of life ; for if these people are at home any 

 where, it is certainly in the surf, enjoying as a pleasure what we 

 from our want of knowledge and confidence in the art of swimming, 

 consider dangerous. 



Some account will now be given of the proceedings of the officers 

 left in the Vincennes, and of the festivities which they exchanged 

 with the chief Kanuha and the missionaries. 



Lieutenant Carr, who had charge of the ship, was also, with the 

 officers under him, entrusted with the duties of the observatory, 

 including the meteorological and tidal observations. Acting Master 

 Totten and Passed Midshipman May were engaged on the charts. 



Among the festivities was one given by the chief Kanuha to the 

 officers. Kanuha lives in a large native house, situated on the south 

 side of the bay, in a pretty location near the beach, and surrounded 

 by large trees, which not only add to its beauty, but affiord the shade 

 so important in this climate. 



The chief is, like all those of noble blood of these islands, of 

 large dimensions, and might be called a fine-looking man. He is 

 thousfht to regard his own interest before that of others, and is 

 desirous of making money when and how he can. His wife is 

 equally remarkable among her sex in size. He was dressed in a 

 blue roundabout and wMte pantaloons, hat, and shoes ; his wife and 



VOL. IV. 56 



