12 
BOWDITCH ISLAND. 
The annexed wood-cut is from an accurate sketch by Mr. Agate, and 
exhibits the tattooing above spoken of. 
BOWDITCH ISLANDER. 
There was a necessity now for beginning the duties of the survey, 
and guns were to be fired for bases by sound. Attempts were made 
before the firing, to explain to them what was to be done, in hopes 
their fears might not be excited, and thus cause their desertion, as at 
the Duke of York’s Island; but the moment the first gun was fired, 
they hurried off for a short distance to hold a parley. The second 
gun caused them to start at full speed for the land, and they did not 
slacken their efforts until they reached it. 
Three boats, with several of the officers, landed on the southwest 
point of the island, whither four or five canoes accompanied them, 
the confidence of the natives being restored. When they carne near 
the reef, the surf w r as found to be breaking heavily on it, which 
caused them to hesitate in attempting to land at that place; but, after 
looking for some distance, and finding no better place, they deter¬ 
mined to try it. The natives, in the mean time, had been passing 
through the surf, by placing their canoes on the heaviest roller, and, 
paddling with great energy, reached the beach upon it, without diffi¬ 
culty. 
Following their example, our boats landed with the same ease and 
safety. 
The islet on which they now were was covered with cocoa-nut 
trees, but there were no houses upon it. They called it Fakaafo. 
which was the same as the natives of Oatafu had designated as the 
