26 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
bring it from the distant mountains, and take it on board the ship; 
and this cargo in China, would be worth near a million of dollars. 
I have seen this sandal-wood, that is so highly esteemed by the Chi¬ 
nese; (indeed their infatuation for it, falls little short of that of the 
natives for whales’ teeth) it does not appear capable of receiving 
a high polish, nor is its colour agreeable; the odour arising from 
it is pleasant, and the principal uses to which the Chinese are said 
to apply it, is to burn it in their temples, and to extract from it an 
oil, which is said to be of great value. 
The warlike attitude of the Happahs, who still kept their sta¬ 
tion on the mountains, made me determine to wait a day or two 
before I commenced my repairs on the ship. I had understood, 
that there was a bay to leward, which might suit our purpose, 
where the natives who inhabited its valleys were at peace, but it 
was not represented to me as being so commodious as the one we 
now occupied, nor so easy of access and egress. I had not yet de¬ 
termined what place to form our encampment in, where we might 
land our water-casks, and pitch tents for our coopers, sail-makers, 
carpenters, and other workmen, all of which would be necessary 
in order to make the extensive repairs of which the ship stood 
much in want. I was apprehensive of engaging too precipitant- 
ly in the undertaking, lest the unforeseen difficulties I might en¬ 
counter, should give me cause to regret my haste. 
The spot which appeared most suitable for our purpose, was 
a plain, at the back of the sandy beach, near where we lay. This 
plain was well shaded by bread-fruit and other trees, was destitute 
of inhabitants, and separated from the inhabited part of the valley 
by a hill, well suited for erecting a fort, as it completely command¬ 
ed the whole bay, as well as every part of the valley. The place 
of which I now speak, 'as suited for our encampment, was situa¬ 
ted between the two hostile tribes; and I was informed, that from 
some motives of religion, neither party had visited it since the 
war had commenced; and with the hope that they would continue 
to keep aloof from it, I determined within myself to fix on this 
spot, should I commence my repairs here. While I was delibe¬ 
rating on the subject, I was informed that Gattancwa had arrived, 
and to show my respect for the chieftain, as well as to convince 
him of my friendly disposition, I sent him on shore a fine large 
