TONGATABOO. 



43 



them, as there is now among the several islands of either group, which 

 will have a great tendency to advance the civilization of both. 



Previous to my departure, a sailor by the name of Tom Granby 

 desired to have a passage to the Feejees, and although I entertained 

 always much suspicion of the vagabonds who frequent the different 

 islands, Tom's countenance was so very prepossessing, and his 

 modesty as to his capabilities as a pilot such as to satisfy me that he 

 was not one of the runaways or convicts; he was, besides, as he 

 informed me, a resident of the island of Ovolau. I had already made 

 up my mind that this island should be the first place the squadron 

 should go, on account of its central position, which, if the harbour 

 proved convenient, offered the best point whence to superintend the 

 duties and to fix my observatory at; Tom was therefore taken on 

 board, and remained with us during the whole time we were in the 

 Feejee Group, and I was well satisfied with him ; in short, he did not 

 belie his countenance. 



CANOE-HOUSE. 



