1835. SNUFF PROVISIONS TRURO. 553 



burning all night. A curious snufF was observed by Mr. 

 Stokes, and from the method of using or taking it, I am in- 

 clined to think it an old custom, not imported by the white 

 men. A substance, not unlike rhubarb in its appearance, but 

 of a very pleasant fragrance, was rubbed on a piece of shark's 

 skin, stretched on wood ; and much it appeared to please an 

 old man, who valued this snuff-stick so highly, that he 

 would not part with it. 



The Otaheitans are fond of going to sea, and take great 

 interest in seeing new countries. Mr. Henry said there was 

 no difficulty in getting a crew of natives, for boats or small 

 vessels, provided that a promise was made to bring them back 

 to their own island. From four to six yards of ordinary 

 linen, or cotton cloth, with good provisions, was accounted 

 enough remuneration for the zealous services of an able-bodied 

 active man, during one month. 



While we stayed at Otaheite we were supplied with excellent 

 beef, and passably good vegetables; the latter however happened 

 to be scarce. Most of the cattle belonged to the missionaries, 

 who were trying to persuade the natives to rear them, and were 

 beginning to succeed, though the people are fonder of their 

 horses, of which there are a good many on the island, but ill 

 kept and little understood. 



Mr. Stokes obtained another account of the murder of the 

 master and mate of the Truro, which says : " The master and 

 mate of the Truro had left the northern end of Aura Island, 

 intending to go to Otaheite ; the chief of the northern dis- 

 trict having treated them very kindly, and told them to avoid 

 the south end of the island, because bad men lived there. 



" The wind would not allow them to keep a sufficient offing ; 

 and a small canoe, with only two men, approached their boat 

 with the apparent design of offering fruit for sale ; but when 

 near the boat they threw spears with such effect, that the white 

 men were both killed." I place more confidence in the former 

 account. 



The seizure of a ship at Bow Island (barque Newton, of 



