TONGATABOO. 37 



when the Porpoise and Flying-Fish both went ashore on the reef, in 

 consequence of the sun preventing it from being seen ; they got off 

 soon after without any damage. On anchoring, I despatched an officer 

 on shore, to inquire into the reason of the order sent the pilots; word 

 was immediately returned, on the part of the kings, that they knew 

 nothing of the business ; and they disclaimed any interference with 

 them at all. On further investigation, the report was found to have 

 grown out of the jealousy between two pilots, Tahiti Jim and Isaac : 

 the former being the favourite of King George, whilst the latter was 

 attached to King Josiah. Isaac having come on board first, was 

 accepted as pilot ; but Tahiti Jim being shrewd and cunning, (of 

 which we had much experience afterwards,) did not like the idea of 

 Isaac, who, as he told me, was no pilot, reaping all the reward ; he 

 accordingly intimated to him, that unless he promised to share the 

 profits with him, he should report him to King George ; and that if 

 he got the ship ashore the captain would hang him. This so alarmed 

 Isaac, that, being unwilling to fall under the displeasure of the king, 

 and equally so to divide his profits, concocted the story that he was 

 ordered by the king not to take the. vessel to sea. I rather suspected 

 Tahiti Jim of delivering such a message; finding, however, since the 

 arrival of the Porpoise, that there was now a prospect of profit for 

 both, they became reconciled. This affair being settled, and having 

 finished my orders for the Peacock, and sent them to the missionaries, 

 we hove up our anchors, and made sail. Before we had got without 

 the reef, a sail was descried, which proved to be the Peacock. After 

 passing congratulations, by cheering, I made signal to anchor, which 

 was done, near the outer reefs, in ten fathoms water. We were now 

 once more together, and only a few days behind the time allotted for 

 reaching the Feejee Group, and beginning operations there. 



The Peacock, as we have seen, was left at Sydney to complete her 

 repairs. These detained her until the 30th of March, for it was found 

 extremely difficult to obtain mechanics ; and all who were employed, 

 except two, were a lazy and drunken set : they all belong to the 

 "Trades' Union;" and to such an extreme is the action of this asso- 

 ciation carried, that they invariably support the most worthless, and 

 make common cause with them. Employers are completely under 

 their control, and there is no manner of redress for idleness or bad 

 work. If the employer complains, they all leave work, and refuse to 

 do any thing more, and soon compel him to re-engage them through 

 necessity. 



VOL. III. 10 



