172 LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 
decomposition. Deep chasms were occasionally met with. The 
whole is partially covered with vines and creepers, and the shore was 
lined with mangroves. 
The men enjoyed the opportunity of a walk on shore, and also the 
chance of bathing. Old Thaki, with many expressions of regret, 
brought off a hatchet and gimlet that had been stolen the day before, 
and had not yet been missed. These islanders are particularly 
anxious to obtain iron tools, and seem to prefer the axes of American 
manufacture to those of England, considering the former more ser- 
viceable. 
On the 22d, they sailed, and continued the surveys to the eastward, 
towards the Bocatatanoa, or Argo Reef. Besides the brig Argo, 
another vessel, by the name of the Harriet, is said to have been lost 
here. According to Thaki’s report, all hands from one of these vessels 
were killed, while only a few from the other escaped. He remembers 
the occurrence, but it was a long time ago. This extensive reef was 
examined, when Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, having heard of 
the arrival of the Flying-Fish, with a pilot and despatches, returned to 
Lakemba. 
Here they took on board Tubou Totai and Corodowdow, with their 
suites, whom I have mentioned before, as having been left by the 
Flying-Fish, the former to act as pilot. 
It is remarkable that, up to this time, in all their trials of the cur- 
rent, they had found it setting to the eastward about half a mile per 
hour, varying in direction from east-northeast to east-southeast. This 
fact is confirmed by the information obtained from the natives, that 
canoes which are wrecked to the westward are always drifted upon 
these islands. 
On the 28th, Mr. Totten and Dr. Holmes were despatched on shore, 
to ascend Kendi-kendi, the highest peak of the island of Lakemba, for 
the purpose of making observations and getting its height by sympieso- 
meter. The altitude was thus found to be seven hundred and fourteen 
feet. The ascent was not difficult, for a regular path led to the highest 
point. The ruins of a town were found on it, called Tumboa, from 
which the Tonga chiefs of the family of Tubou Totai are supposed to 
have derived their name, as has been before mentioned. This town 
was occupied for the purpose of defence against their enemies, both 
Tongese and Feejees. 
Mr. Calvert and his lady received them most kindly at the mission, 
as they had already done the other officers. The house and out-build- 
ings are comfortable, and the church, which stands near the mission- 
house, is a good building, eighty feet long by thirty-two wide, and 
