PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
1G3 
undergone great privation and suffering, by which many of their com- CHAP, 
panions had lost their lives, and their canoe to have been wrecked upon 
the island ; and that they and their friends on shore were anxious to Feb. 
embark in the ship, and return to Otaheite. A little suspicion was at 
first attached to this account, as it seemed impossible for a canoe to 
reach their present asylum without purposely paddling towards it ; as 
By am Martin Island, unlike Wateo, upon which Omai found his coun- 
trymen, is situated six hundred miles from Otaheite, in the direction 
of the trade-wind. W e could not doubt, however, that they were 
natives of that place, as they mentioned the names of the missionaries 
residing there, and proved that they could both read and write. 
To their solicitation to return in the ship to Otaheite, as their 
numbers on shore amounted to forty persons, I could not yield, and I 
pointed out to them the impossibility of doing so ; but, that we might 
learn the real history of their adventures, I offered a passage to the man 
who first ascended the side, as he appeared the most intelligent of the 
party. The poor feUow was at first quite delighted, but suddenly be- 
came grave, and inquired if his wife and children might accompany him, 
as he could on no account consent to a separation. Our compliance with 
this request appeared to render him completely happy ; but still fearful 
of disappointment, before quitting the ship he sent to ask if I was in 
earnest. 
The next morning, on landing, we found him, his wife, and family, 
with their goods and chattels, upon the beach, ready to embark, and all 
the islanders assembled to take leave of them ; but as we wished to 
examine the island first, we postponed this ceremony until the evening. 
The little colony gave us a very friendly reception, and conducted us 
to their village, which consisted of a few low huts, similar to those 
9^t Barrow Island ; but they had no fruit to offer us, excepting pan- 
danus-nuts, which they disliked almost as much as ourselves, and told 
Rs they had been accustomed to better fare. 
In their huts we found calabashes of water suspended to the roof, 
Riats, baskets, and every thing calculated for a sea-voyage ; and not far 
fi’om them a plentiful store of fish, raised about four feet above the 
ground, out of the reach of the rats, which were very numerous. They 
Y 2 
