BOWDITCH ISLAND. 25 



The consequence, as at his time of life may be readily imagined, was 

 a fit of sickness, which has been considered as a judgment upon him, 

 and caused his return with much contrition to his religious duties 

 and observances. It is said, that during his illness there was much 

 excitement among the high chiefs, in relation to the succession to his 

 title, that of " Tupu," or sovereign; and some fears were entertained 

 that an outbreak might occur, that would place the power in the 

 hands of some of the restless spirits that are known to be averse to 

 the missionaries. If, however, they have established themselves as 

 firmly as appearances warrant one in believing, there cannot be much 

 danger that their exertions will be retarded, much less put a stop to. 



Among the visiters to the ships, was Mole, the second son of 

 Malietoa, of whom we had formed a good opinion during our former 

 visit, and who, it was then generally supposed, would succeed his 

 father in authority. He is warmly attached to the missionary cause, 

 and affords important aid in carrying out their plans, having much in- 

 fluence with his father, and restraining his evil propensities. He has 

 the reputation of being very popular with the common people in the 

 town of Sagana, where he resides and is a teacher. From him our gen- 

 tlemen obtained the news of our friends among the nobility. Emma, 

 his sister, whom we had all admired so much, and whose portrait is 

 given in the second volume of this Narrative, was married to Samuel, 

 the tall and handsome chief of Faleatii. The haughty Vavasa was in 

 Manono, which was the case also with Malietoa. Tooa was absent, 

 and many other chiefs who had attended the fono, were at their 

 districts. Opotuno was still in Savaii, on the alert to prevent surprise, 

 and it was reported that he had made some advances to join the 

 missionaries with his people ; but little credit was given to this story. 

 They also learned that at the time Captain Hudson was in search of 

 him he was concealed, with a few of his followers, at a short distance. 



For the first eight days after the Peacock's arrival, they had almost 

 continual rain, with the wind varying from the north to west, and 

 with a disagreeable swell setting into the harbour. 



Tents were erected on shore to afford an opportunity for the neces- 

 sary repairs to be made to the boats, and others for the use of the 

 instruments of magnetism, &c. 



On the 10th, they experienced a strong gale from the north-by- 

 west to northwest, with a heavy sea and torrents of rain. One of 

 their anchors started, but they soon brought up with their sheet- 

 anchor, although a ship would usually ride with very little strain 



VOL. v. 7 



