A NATIVE LEAVES WITH 1HEM. 



457 



venerable man, apparently a philosopher, "whose thoughtful and 

 suspicious air seemed to show that he feared the arrival of a new 

 race of men would trouble those happy days which he had spent 

 in peace." A poet, reclining beneath a tree, sang them a song 

 to the accompaniment of a flute which a musician blew, not with 

 his mouth, but with one of his nostrils. In return for this en- 

 tertainment, the strangers gave, at night, an exhibition of sky- 

 rockets, witch-quills, and other pyrotechnics. The chief, learn- 

 ing that the Prince of Nassau was a man of royal blood, offered 

 him a wife ; but, as the lady was advanced in years and corre- 

 spondingly mature in appearance, the prince plead a previous 

 union and escaped. 



The vessels stayed here a fortnight, cutting wood and drawing 

 water. They lost six anchors during their sojourn, and twice 

 narrowly missed utter shipwreck, — " the worst consequence of 

 which would have been to pass the remainder of their days on 

 an isle adorned with all the gifts of nature, and to exchange the 

 sweets of the mother-country for a peaceable life exempt from 

 cares." The islanders expressed infinite regret at their de- 

 parture, — one of them, Aotourou by name, being unable to 

 endure the separation, and asking permission to go with them. 

 He gave his young wife three pearls which he had in his ears, 

 kissed her, and went on board the ship. Bougainville quitted 

 the island on the 16th of April, no less surprised at the sorrow 

 the inhabitants testified at his departure than at their affection- 

 ate confidence on his arrival. 



He directed his course so as to avoid the Pernicious Isles, 

 warned by the disasters of Roggewein to avoid them. Aotourou 

 pointed at night to the bright star in Orion's shoulder, indicating 

 that they should guide their course by it, and that in two days 

 it would bring them to a fertile island where he had friends and 

 children. Being vexed that no attention was paid to his advice, 

 lie rushed to the helm, seized the wheel, and endeavored to put 

 the ship about. In the morning he climbed to the mast-head, and 



