128 



TONGA ISLAND. 



It had considerable motion, and crossed the ship's bows, but 

 did not proceed more than two or three miles before it broke. 



During the 21st we passed through large " fields of sperm- 

 whale-feed," a scummy-looking substance, floating on the sur- 

 face of the water, and of a color nearly red. It seems almost 

 impossible that so immense an animal could subsist on food 

 apparently containing so little nutriment. We were now in 

 latitude 22° 45' 00" south, and longitude 174° 50' 00" east. 



At 2 P. M. on the 24th we came-to off Nookualofa, the 

 principal town of Tonga Island, and the station of the Wes- 

 leyan Mission. We found here the "Flying Fish," which 

 had separated from us some days previous. The missionary 

 gentlemen, Messrs. Tucker and Rabone, paid us a visit on the 

 same afternoon, and from them we learned that the Christian 

 and heathen parties were at war* with each other. 



About sunset a large double canoe, filled with warriors, 

 arrived. They belonged to the neighboring islands, Hapai 

 and Vavao, and came to assist the Christian party. This was 

 the first double canoe we had seen. It consisted of two canoes 

 joined together by a deck thrown across them both. On the 

 deck a small house was erected, which answered as a cabin ; 

 above the house was a square platform, with a rail around it. 

 The mast was from forty to fifty feet in height, and carried a 

 long yard, upon which was spread a triangular sail made of 

 matting. It was steered by an oar. These canoes tack and 

 wear in all weathers, are good sea-boats, and sail from eight 

 to ten miles per hour. 



April 25th. It is reported that eight heathen, or " Devils," 

 and two Christians were killed last night in a skirmish, which 



* Dt ring our stay at Nookualofa, Captain Wilkes did all in his power to restore 

 peace between the parties, but without success, and I am sorry to add that the Chris- 

 tians were the authors of the principal diffi ulties thrown in his way. 



