CHAPTER VIII. 



TYE AND SUALIB. 

 184 0. 



Upon the junction of the Peacock with the Vincennes in Mbua Bay, 

 I had it in my power to examine and collate all the work that we had 

 thus far accomplished. After doing this, I found that so much yet 

 remained to be done before a thorough survey of the Feejee Group 

 could be completed, that I must either leave this important duty 

 unfinished, or devote more time to it than had originally been con- 

 templated. I deemed this to be among the most important of the 

 objects of the Expedition ; and considering that the seas around these 

 islands abound in dangers whose position had up to this time been 

 entirely unknown, I resolved not only to complete the surveys, but 

 not to leave the group until I had entirely satisfied myself of the 

 accuracy of the work. 



In furtherance of the last object, I set all who had been employed 

 in the service to work in plotting and calculating their surveys, while 

 the features of the region were yet fresh in their memories. This 

 duty occupied several days after my arrival at Mbua Bay, and was 

 performed without any loss of time that could have been employed 

 in actual surveying ; for the weather was bad, in consequence of a 

 gale from the southeast that lasted four days, and it would have been 

 impossible to work in the open air. 



In consequence of o\u protracted stay, it became necessary to 

 reduce the allowance of the men's provisions one-third. Orders to 

 this effect were, in consequence, given. The men, when informed 

 of it, readily acquiesced, and I heard not a word of complaint. 



On the 9th, Lieutenant Alden, in the tender, returned from the 

 Annan Islands, without having completed all the duties he was 



vol. in. 64 



