UPOLU — MANONO — SAVAII. 109 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, after landing Dr. Pickering and 

 Lieutenant Maury at Sapapale, proceeded around the island for the 

 purpose of surveying it. He began with the examination of the large 

 bay of Paluale, near the eastern point of the island. Here there is a 

 missionary station, under the superintendence of Mr. M'Donald, who 

 had resided there for about six months, with his wife and children. 

 The natives are peaceable, but are described as inquisitive and rude. 

 The village is prettily situated, and is approached through a boat- 

 passage in the reef. 



The south side of the island was found rocky and iron-bound, with 

 a heavy surf breaking on it. Towards the western end of the island, 

 the rocks around the points were worn into cavities, and the sea rolling 

 into them produced innumerable spouts of water. 



When the brig was abreast of the deep inlet of Salealua, a native 

 missionary came off in a whale-boat. He tendered every possible 

 civility, and was very desirous that a trade might be opened with the 

 village of the same name. This is situated at the head of the bay, 

 upon a sandy beach, and has around it and upon the sea-shore a con- 

 siderable extent of level plain, filled with groves of cocoa-nut and 

 bread-fruit. Upon examination, no shelter was found for vessels in 

 this bay, and the urgency of the duty required that the brig should 

 pass on without farther intercourse with the shore. 



Near the northwestern point of Savaii is the large and beautiful 

 village of Felialupo, with a snug little cove for boats. This place is 

 under the charge of a Tonga missionary. The natives were friendly, 

 and disposed to exchange their poultry and fruit, for tools, cloth, &c. 



The next inlet on the north side, was that of Asau. This was sup- 

 posed to be the only place where there was any probability of finding 

 a harbour. But the hope of such discovery was frustrated, for there is 

 only a small and shallow entrance through the reef, and within the reef 

 the shore forms an extensive flat. 



Many canoes from this village visited the brig, and before they had 

 taken leave a theft was discovered. A commotion immediately took 

 place, and the native missionary at once gave himself up as a hostage, 

 until the article (a whetstone) should be brought back. A. canoe was 

 then despatched to the chief, and in the course of an hour he came on 

 board, bringing the article. Both the chief and the native missionary 

 expressed great mortification that such an occurrence had taken place. 

 Several small presents were made to them, and they returned to the 

 shore highly pleased. 



Proceeding on the survey, the brig arrived off the north point of the 

 island, and reached the bay of Mataatua, which was examined, and 



K 



