CHAPTER VIIL. 
TYE AND SUALIB. 
4 
1840. 
Upon the junction of the Peacock with the Vincennes in Mbua Bay, 
I had it in my power to examine and collate all the work that we had 
thus far accomplished. After doing this, I found that so much yet 
remained to be done before a thorough survey of the Feejee Group 
could be completed, that I must either leave this important duty 
unfinished, or devote more time to it than had originally been con- 
templated. I deemed this to be among the most important of the 
objects of the Expedition; and considering that the seas around these 
islands abound in dangers whose position had up to this time been 
entirely unknown, I resolved not only to complete the surveys, but not 
to leave the group until I had entirely satisfied myself of the accuracy 
of the work. 
In furtherance of the last object, I set all who had been employed 
in the service to work in plotting and calculating their surveys, while 
the features of the region were yet fresh in their memories. This duty 
occupied several days after my arrival at Mbua Bay, and was per- 
formed without any loss of time that could have been employed in 
actual surveying; for the weather was bad, in consequence of a 
gale from the southeast that lasted four days, and it would have been 
impossible to work in the open air. 
In consequence of our protracted stay, it became necessary to 
reduce the allowance of the men’s provisions one-third. Orders to 
this effect were, in consequence, given. The men, when informed 
of it, readily acquiesced, and I heard not a word of complaint. 
On the 9th, Lieutenant Alden, in the tender, returned from the 
Annan Islands, without having completed all the duties he was 
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