ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 53 



to the westward, and by morning were fifteen miles to leeward, and 

 out of sight of the island. 



On the 5th, they succeeded in regaining their position. Many 

 canoes came off, which continued increasing throughout the day, 

 until at one time eighty were counted from the ship, some of which 

 contained from ten to fifteen persons. Many of these ventured on 

 board, and became satisfied of the friendly intentions towards them, 

 though they still seemed to be under some apprehensions from the 

 number of men on board and the size of the ship. The guns fired 

 in the operation for surveying increased their alarm ; many jumped 

 overboard at every discharge, and concealed themselves behind their 

 canoes. 



In the afternoon, Captain Hudson on sounding found a bank on 

 which he anchored, in fifteen fathoms water, at the distance of four 

 miles from the island. 



The next morning, the tender was despatched, with two boats, 

 under Lieutenants Emmons and De Haven, to continue the survey. 



On the 6th, soon after daylight, they had from thirty to forty canoes 

 alongside with different articles of trade ; and ninety -two others were 

 in sight from the deck, with from four to five natives in each. 



Early in the day, three boats were despatched for the town of 

 Utiroa, to acquire a knowledge of the place and its inhabitants. In 

 them were thirty men, well armed, which was thought to be a suffi- 

 cient force to secure the officers and naturalists from any attack. 

 Opposite to the town of Utiroa is a long flat, over which, at ebb 

 tide, a boat will not float ; and, as it was low water, it became neces- 

 sary to walk through the shallow to the beach, which was nearly a 

 quarter of a mile distant. 



A very brisk trade was carried on for provisions and articles of 

 curiosity. They had some small fish, which were much esteemed. 

 The fowls offered for sale, as usual among the Polynesian islands, 

 were all cocks, and proved old and tough. These were brought off 

 in neat cages. 



Several women were among the crowd, with delicate features and 

 a lively expression of countenance, but remarkably small. Their 

 covering was a girdle, almost altogether of fringe fastened to a string, 

 which was passed round the body. This garment had, at a distance, 

 a more graceful look even than the " titi" of Samoa. This it obtains 

 from being made pliable by steeping it in some peculiar mixture, 



VOL. V. 14 



