84 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP 
IV. 
Dec. 
182 .'-). 
extraordinary, when it is remembered that Easter Island, which is much 
more distant from the eastern world, was so, though nothing is known 
of the fate of the people. 
From these images, and the large piles of stones on heights to 
which they must have been dragged with great labour, it may be con- 
cluded that the island was inhabited a considerable time; and from 
bones being found always buried under these piles, and never upon the 
surface, we may presume that those who survived quitted the island in 
their canoes to seek an asylum elsewhere. 
Having this day seen every part of the island, we had no further 
desire to ramble ; and as the weather did not promise to be very fair, I 
left the observatory in the charge of Mr. Wolfe, and embarked, accom- 
panied by old Adams. Soon after he came on board it began to blow, 
and for several days afterwards the wind prevented any communication 
with the shore. The natives during this period were in great appre- 
hension : they went to the top of the island every morning to look for 
the ship ; and once, when she w^as not to be seen, began to entertain 
the most serious doubts whether Adams would be returned to them ; 
but he, knowing w e should close the island as soon as the w^eather w^ould 
permit, was rather glad of the opportunity of remaining on board, and 
of again associating with his countrymen. And although he had passed 
his sixty-fifth year, joined in the dances and songs of the forecastle, and 
was always cheerful. 
On the l6th the weather permitted a boat to be sent on shore, and 
Adams was restored to his anxious friends. Previous to quitting the 
ship, he said it would add much to his happiness if 1 would read the 
marriage ceremony to him and his wife, as he could not bear the idea 
of living with her without its being done. He had long wished for 
the arrival of a ship of war to set his conscience at rest on that point. 
Though Adams was aged, and the old wmman had been blind and bed- 
ridden for several years, he made such a point of it, that it would have 
been cruel to refuse him. They were accordingly the next day duly 
united, and the event noted in a register by John Pulfet. 
The islanders w^ere delighted at having us again among them, 
and expressed themselves in the warmest terms. We soon found, 
