244 MAU I. 



partook of a sumptuous lunch, and parted under a feeling of obligation 

 for the kind attentions we had received, and the tokens of remembrance 

 from the scholars. We reached Lahaina before dark, after a fatiguing 

 ride. 



On our way I heard a rumour that one of the boats had been lost, 

 which made me anxious to get on board as soon as possible. I had been 

 flattering myself that from dangers of this kind we were, at least for 

 the present, exempt ; but the report proved too true. Previous to leaving 

 Lahaina, I had despatched Lieutenant Budd, with Passed Midshipman 

 May, in charge of two boats, and it was to one of these that the acci- 

 dent occurred. Lieutenant Budd gave the following account of it. 



At ten o'clock, on the 9th of March, they left the ship, when it was 

 blowing a moderate breeze, and steered for the south point of Kahoo- 

 lawe. After they had proceeded some distance on their way, it fell 

 calm for a short time, and then the trade-wind set in strong from the 

 northward and eastward, and soon increased to a stiff gale, the sea 

 rising to a dangerous height for the boats. Just after doubling the point 

 of Kahoolawe, Passed Midshipman May, in the Leopard, hailed Lieu- 

 tenant Budd, to report that his boat was sinking ; and four of the men 

 were perceived to be baling. Lieutenant Budd pulled alongside, and 

 seeing the boat was settling, ordered the anchor to be dropped. Most 

 of the crew continued to bale with their hats, whilst the rest passed out 

 the most important articles. A portion of the Leopard's crew, who 

 could not swim, were now ordered to get into the Greyhound ; Lieu- 

 tenant Budd intending to land them and return for those on the wreck. 

 The men who were thus left said that the boat was drifting to sea, and 

 wished to be taken off; but this would have endangered the lives of all. 

 Passed Midshipman May, perceiving their unwillingness to remain, 

 jumped overboard and joined them : his example encouraged them to 

 do their best. Lieutenant Budd succeeded in as short a time as possible 

 in landing the men and articles from his boat, and then returned. He 

 found the boat sinking fast, and the officer and men supporting them- 

 selves with the oars. The boat was now turning over and over as 

 every wave struck her. Mr. May and the rest of the men were taken 

 on board, and they then returned to the shore, all much exhausted. 

 Lieutenant Budd, seeing that the side of the boat had been stove in by 

 a heavy sea, and the impossibility of saving or being able to repair the 

 boat, left her to her fate, and took such measures as he found necessary 

 for the comfort of his men. Lieutenant Budd deserves much credit 

 for his presence of mind in preserving the lives of the men entrusted to 

 him, as well as protecting them afterwards from unnecessary exposure. 



Kahoolawe, the island they were now on, lies to the west of the 



