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SOUTH SEA 
to the Japan fishery. We passed very near to the 
Galapagos Islands, so long renowned among marine 
travellers for their “ Terepin” rocks and Guanoes, but no 
sail was taken in, no stop was made on their account — 
the captain wishing to be on the Japan fishing-ground 
in June. 
On the evening of the 4th of May 1831, our black 
cook declared that he could see land ahead ; but as the 
captain had taken his observations the same day, we 
calculated that we were upwards of ninety miles from 
Owhyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands ; and as no one 
else in the ship could perceive anything of the kind, we 
could scarcely believe our culinary shipmate, or give 
him credit for his lengthy sight ; but the next morning 
everything was set at rest by the full appearance of that 
magnificent island. I arose at day-break, even before 
the mistiness of night had passed away, and as the sun’s 
rays gradually dispelled the gloom, I strained my eyes 
with eager excitement in search of that interesting land ; 
and when the sun rose fully out of the abyss of night, 
how shall I describe the beauties of the scene which 
presented itself! What words can convey the sensations, 
the ideas, which crowded in quick succession upon my 
enraptured mind ! The air was beautifully clear— the 
ship was straining under a press of sail— the grand 
mountain before us piercing the clouds which congre- 
gated around its peak— the glorious sun cast its golden 
morning rays upon everything around, — all combined to 
render the first view of Owhyhee one of the most 
magnificent I had yet witnessed. We had been on our 
