May.] SAIL FROM MANILLA. 387 



CHAPTER V. 



Sail from Manilla for the Feejee Islands — Discover Skiddy's Shoal — Islands of 

 Los Matires — Visit Bergh's Group — Discover Skiddy's Group — Visit Young 

 William's Group — Interview with the Natives — Intended Treachery defeated — 

 Visit Monteverdeson's Islands — Description of the Natives — Indications of 

 Hostilities — An Attempt to board the Antarctic — Continuation of the Voyage 

 — Discovery of the Massacre Islands — Friendly Disposition of the Natives. 



Finding that a freight for Europe or America could not be immedi- 

 ately obtained, I made arrangements to fit out the Antarctic on a 

 voyage to the Feejee Islands, there to procure a cargo of biche-de- 

 mer, tortoise-shell, pearls, pearl-shell, or any other valuables which 

 might be to the profit of the owners. The necessary arrangements 

 for this enterprise occupied several weeks, during which period my 

 wife and myself formed several valuable and highly respectable ac- 

 quaintances in the city. Among others were Mr. Cannell, an English 

 merchant, and his amiable family, consisting of wife, children, and 

 niece, the latter about twenty years of age. This gentleman sustained 

 an irreproachable character as a merchant and a man, being senior 

 partner in the house of Cannell & Gellis. 



Mrs. Morrell was much caressed by Mrs. Cannell, the niece, and all 

 the children, and it was finally arranged that she would remain with 

 them at Manilla, during my absence at the Fejee Islands, and not en- 

 counter the privations and dangers of the voyage. It was not without 

 reluctance that my wife consented to this arrangement ; but being very 

 much attached to Mrs. Cannell and her pleasant little family, she at 

 length became reconciled to a temporary separation from me, and took 

 up her residence in this abode of virtue, peace, and hospitality, where 

 I knew that she would receive such protection and delicate attentions 

 as her sex and state of health required. The Antarctic was not ready 

 for sea until the 1 1th of April. 



April \2th. — On Monday, the 12th, at 7, A. M., we got under way, 

 and left the port of Manilla, with the wind from south-west, and fair 

 weather ; having thirty-three stout able-bodied men on ooard. On the 

 following day, at 1, P. M., we passed the Corregidor ; and at 6, the next 

 morning, we were in the west entrance of the Strait of Manilla, or St. 

 Barnardino. 



April \Sth. — We continued on our passage through this strait, with 

 fair weather and light winds, until Sunday, the 18th of April; when, 

 at 11, P. M., we passed the island of St. Barnardino, lying at the east 

 entrance of the strait. We now stretched to the eastward, between 

 the eighth and twelfth degrees of north latitude, for more than a fort- 

 night, with variable winds and weather. 



May 6th. — On Thursday, the 6th of May, at 6, A. M., we saw the 

 island of Faralis, situated in lat. 8° 57' north, long. 145° 27' east. 



Bb2 



