180 LAKE MBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 



many presents, and a certificate of his good conduct and abilities as 

 a pilot. 



The officers frequently visited the shore. The natives seemed to 

 vie with each other as to who should appear most in the European 

 garb. The native missionaries, and some others, wore ruffled shirts, 

 marked P. Dillon. These, with a straw hat, constituted their only 

 clothing, except the maro. 



Quantities of vegetables were brought for trade, which gave an 

 opportunity of procuring a supply for the crew that was much 

 needed. The few days they spent here were the only ones, since the 

 preceding November, that they had had any respite from duty, 

 having, with the rest of the squadron, been kept in a constant state 

 of activity, and, much of the time, on very arduous and fatiguing 

 service. 



The southern side of Oneata is a mass of lava, somewhat resem- 

 bling the clinkers of the Sandwich Islands, to be spoken of hereafter. 

 This rock is comparatively recent, having undergone but a slight 

 decomposition. Deep chasms were occasionally met with. The 

 wdiole is partially covered with vines and creepers, and the shore was 

 lined with mangroves. 



The men enjoyed the opportunity of a walk on shore, and also the 

 chance of bathing. Old Thaki, with many expressions of regret, 

 brought off a hatchet and gimlet that had been stolen the day before, 

 and had not yet been missed. These islanders are particularly 

 anxious to obtain iron tools, and seem to prefer the axes of American 

 manufacture to those of England, considering the former more ser- 

 viceable. 



On the 22d, they sailed, and continued the surveys to the eastwai'd, 

 towards the Bocatatanoa, or Argo Reef. Besides the brig Argo, 

 another vessel, by the name of the Harriet, is said to have been 

 lost here. According to Thaki's report, all hands from one of these 

 vessels were killed, while only a few from the other escaped. He 

 remembers the occurrence, but it was a long time ago. This exten- 

 sive reef was examined, when Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, 

 having heard of the arrival of the Flying-Fish, with a pilot and 

 despatches, returned to Lakemba. 



Here they took on board Tubou Totai and Corodowdow, with their 

 suites, whom I have mentioned before, as having been left by the 

 Flying-Fish, the former to act as pilot. 



