ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. 
267 
and on which articles for barter are stowed. The 
paddles have spear-shaped blades, measuring about 
6 feet in length ; some of very neat description, with 
blade and handle carved with some fanciful device. 
As nothing farther could be done here, steam was 
in requisition, and before night set in we were fairly 
off, and out of sight of land. For a week we shaped 
an easterly course for the Admiralty Islands, sighting 
Boissy Islands, and on the 28th one of the Schouten 
Islands, and a few days later the Hermit group. 
Frequent soundings and dredgings were undertaken 
with good results, from an average depth of 2000 
fathoms. The morning of the 3rd March turned out 
cloudy and wet. As the day advanced and the horizon 
cleared, three small islets were seen, which, according 
to D’Entrecasteaux’s chart, lie off the north-west 
extremity of the Admiralty Islands. Shortly after- 
wards two other small islands came into view, all 
situated apparently on the same coral reef. As w T e 
approached, several canoes were seen under sail, 
crossing the line of breakers ; and as they passed 
alongside, the natives made signs of amity by holding 
up their arms. On nearing the anchorage we found 
ourselves in the midst of a number of beautiful 
islands, all girt with white encircling reefs. Each 
seemed to have its own peculiar beauty ; but the eye 
as well as the mind felt more satisfaction in resting 
on what was afterwards named Wild Island, where a 
fine beach was seen, protected from the heavy swell 
