SANDWICH ISLANDS IN SIGHT. 
307 
the other hand, a day is gained by sailing from west 
to east. In short, the mode of reckoning time 
amongst the South Sea Islands depends solely upon 
whether they have been approached in the first 
instance from the west or the east by the navigator 
who introduces amongst them the Christian calendar. 
On the 22nd July, in lat. 29° l 7 north, long. 154° 
43' west, we reached the commencement of the north- 
east trades. The weather was very fine. The deep 
blue sky above, and the calm beauty of the long, 
full moonlight nights exercised a beneficial influence 
on all hands, and now day after day the sea-birds 
— those constant attendants— gradually began to 
cease flitting round the ship as we approached the 
Equator. 
July 27th . — 1 This morning land was reported, and 
although at first some twenty miles distant, yet in 
the clear atmosphere could be seen a group of grey, 
barren peaks, rising verdureless out of the quiet, 
lonely sea. Everybody was soon on deck to have 
a look at the land after the 4500 miles of watery 
solitude, and the sight was indeed a welcome one. 
As we neared it, lofty peaks, brown and red, sun- 
scorched and wind-bleached, showing here and there 
traces of their fiery origin, were in view. Nearer 
yet, and the detail of the land began to make itself 
manifest : first the line of beach, marked by a long 
line of surf, and then the waving cocoa-nut trees, 
with the imposing promontory of Diamond Head 
