OVOLAU. 53 
in writing, in relation to the natives, pointing out to them the necessity 
of watchfulness. 
“You will observe the following instructions very particularly, and 
in no case depart from them, unless it is for the preservation of your 
party. 
“Ist. You will avoid landing any where on the main land or 
islands, unless the latter should be uninhabited. 
“2d. Every precaution must be observed in treating with these 
natives, and no native must be suffered to come alongside or near 
your boats, without your boarding-nettings being up; all trading must 
be carried on over the stern of your boat, and your arms and howit- 
zers ready to repel attack. 
«3d. You will avoid any disputes with them, and never be off your 
guard, or free from suspicion; they are in no case to be trusted. 
“4th. Your two boats must never be separated at night, but an- 
chored as close together as possible. 
«You will always keep the boats within signal distance of each 
other, separating them in cases of extreme necessity only for a short 
time.” 
These and other instructions will be found in Appendix III. 
The Flying-Fish now made her appearance, to my great relief. 
Her delays had been owing to her having run (on the 8th, the night 
after she parted company with us), through carelessness, on the reef 
off the island of Nairai, in fine moonlight, with the reef full in view; 
here she remained some hours, having had a narrow escape from total 
wreck; she, however, only lost apart of her false keel. Lieutenant 
Carr, the first-leutenant of the Vincennes, was immediately put in 
command of her. The Peacock and Flying-Fish were now ordered 
to prepare for sea with all despatch. 
I must confess I felt great anxiety for the safety of our parties in 
the boats, and issued the foregoing orders very particularly, in order 
to avoid all misapprehension, and to leave as little as possible to the 
discretion of the officers who had charge of the boats. They were all 
well armed, and the boats were provided with boarding-nettings; for 
I felt satisfied that any inattention or want of care would inevitably 
lead to the destruction, if not of the whole, at least some of the party . 
the accident that had recently occurred to the tender of the Leonidas, 
showed that the least degree of confidence reposed in the natives was 
attended with great risk, and that so treacherous a people were not to 
be trusted under any circumstances. A departure from these instruc- 
tions, and an undue confidence, resulting from having for a long time 
escaped the many dangers encountered, was, I regret to say, the cause 
E2 
