100 . Porter's Voyage 



and thrown oVerfcoard, and it was supposed that, excltisire of Ihc? 

 young, which were killed in the nests, and could not be founds 

 we had not destroyed a less number than from twelve to fifteen 

 hundred. The caulking and other repairs of the ship went or 

 with much expedition and regularity, and among other defects 

 we found our main-topmast in a very decayed state. We were 

 however enabled to replace it with a spare one on board, and 

 every thing promised that we should not meet with many embar- 

 rassments or delays. As soon, however, as our painting com- 

 menced, we felt the want of oil. We caught two remarkably 

 large sharks, and endeavoured to substitute the oil extracted 

 from their livers, but found it would not answer. We next tried 

 black-fish oil, but it did not succeed. Fortunately, having a 

 small quantity of the oil of the black whale on board our prizes, 

 we found it answered nearly as well to paint as that which is ex- 

 tracted from flax-seed, and generally known by the name of 

 linseed oil. With this we were enabled to improve the externa} 

 appearance of the ship, but had not a sufiicient quantity to paint 

 her inside. We afterwards, however, found that this island 

 alfords an excellent substitute for linseed oil, in the oily walnuts^ 

 formerly mentioned as being used by the natives in ripening 

 bananas, and for candles. The oil, of which they afford a large 

 quantity, is easily expressed, and is no respect inferior to the best 

 paint oil. As such, it is used not only by the natives of the Sand- 

 wich Islands, where it abounds, for painting their clothes, but by 

 vessels touching there, which need a supply of that article. 



Temaa Tipee, of the valley of Shovieme, had not been so 

 punctual as the other tribes in sending his supplies, and his ex- 

 ample had in some measure occasioned a falling off on the part of 

 the others. I therefore found it necessary to let him know that I 

 had noticed his neglect, and consequently sent a messenger to 

 bim to enquire whether he was disposed to remain on friendly 

 terms with me, as he might take his choice, either peace or war. 

 On the return of the messenger, he informed me, that Temaa 

 Tipee desired nothing more ardently than peace, and that he 

 should have been more punctual in the performance of his engage- 

 ments, had not the Happahs refused to permit him and his tribe 

 a passage through their valley. I suspected this to be false : I 

 knew that the Happahs dare not act so contrary to mj wishes. 

 He, however, promised to bring his supplies by water in future 

 punctually, and in the course of the day after the return of the 

 messenger, landed at the beach in front of the village with six 

 iarge canoes laden with hogs and fruit. His complaint of the 

 Happahs had induced me to send a messenger immediately in 

 that tribe, with a threat of punishment, in case of future difficul*. 

 ties between them and the tribes with whom I was at peace. 



