430 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP. They obtain these articles as presents from the crews of such ships as 
touch at the port. In every uncivilized country which has as much 
Feb. foreign intercourse as W oahoo, incongruities must be of frequent oc- 
currence ; thus we were daily in the habit of seeing ladies disencumber 
themselves of their silks, slippers, and parasols, and swim off in fine 
style to different vessels, carrying their bundles on their heads, and re- 
suming their finery when they got on board. Nor was it less amusing 
to observe them jump overboard soon after daylight, and continue 
sporting and swimming about the vessels in the harbour like so many 
nereids ; practices to which they adhere with as much fondness as ever. 
Many, however, now think it necessary to put on a bathing gown when 
they take this recreation. 
'fhe men make very tolerable seamen, and are particularly useful 
in boats. Accustomed from their infancy to the water, they are 
as much at home in that element as on land; and having frequently 
encountered gales of wind at sea in their open canoes, they have no 
apprehension of them on board a strongly built ship. They are active 
and honest, and many of them are taken on board merchant ships visit- 
ing the islands as part of their crews. 
In the course of time it is to be hoped that they will become suf- 
ficiently enlightened to navigate their own vessels, as they at present 
depend upon foreigners for the performance of that service. Their vessels 
are now generally chartered to Americans, who bear a certain proportion 
of the expenses of the voyage, and have carte blanche to proceed where 
they please, and to collect, sell, and purchase cargoes at their discretion, 
and as it may seem most advantageous for themselves and the owners, 
who divide the profits of the venture at the end of the voyage. Their 
occupation consists principally in trading with California and the islands 
of the Pacific, or in making sealing voyages ; in which case the skins 
they obtain are carried to some foreign market, and the proceeds 
applied to the purchase of a new cargo adapted to the wants of the 
Sandwich Islanders ; such as horses, or furniture, and other household 
materials. Upon the whole, these returns are said to be by no means 
equal to the risks and expenses of the voyage ; and the ships being 
built of slight materials they require constant repair and soon wear out : 
so that their navy, at present, is of no great advantage to the state. 
