xxxviii 
INTRODUCTION. 
[Prior Discoveries. 
Bampton ings of 15 to 19 fathoms. After three hours run, with a fresh 
^ssT hreeze, a reef and sand bank were seen a-head, and the ship was 
veered to the south-west. Another reef and bank were descried, 
soon afterward, in the west ; and, at the same time, a signal for see- 
ing the long boat was made by the Chesterfield. In the afternoon, 
the boat was picked up, and both snips anchored under Stephens' 
Island. 
An armed party was immediately sent on shore, to obtain intelli- 
gence, if possible, of the lost whale boat. The natives were 
assembled in hostile array, upon the hills, sounding their conchs ; 
but, after lancing a few arrows, they fled. Several were wounded 
by the shots fired in return ; but they succeeded in escaping to a 
canoe at the back of the island, and getting off; all except one boy, 
who was taken unhurt.* In the huts, which were burnt, several 
things were found ; and amongst them, a sheet of copper which 
belonged to the Chesterfield. 
July 12. Stephens* Island was traversed all over; and a spike 
nail, with the king's broad arrow upon it, was brought on board, and 
excited many conjectures as to whence it came.'f The plantations, 
huts, images, skulls, and hands, were found similar to those of 
Darnley's Island. Amongst the trees, there was one resembling an 
almond, the nuts of which were good. The cocoa nut grows abun- 
dantly ; especially in the south-eastern part, where the trees formed 
a continued grove. The sole quadruped seen, except rats, was a 
pretty animal of the opossum tribe. It was found in a cage; and 
had probably been brought, either from New Guinea, or New South 
Wales.X 
* It does not appear in the journal, when, or where this boy was set on shore ; nor is 
any further mention made of him. 
t It had probably been obtained from the crews of either the Providence or Assistant; 
which had anchored under Stephens' Island, nine months before. 
J Mr. Hampton's description of this animal is briefly as follows. Size and shape, of 
the opossum. Colour, yellowish white with brown spots. End of the tail, deep red : 
1 
