226 
AN ACCOUNT OF 
j 7 8 3 « when they arrived there, fome canoes were juft come in 
from fifliing, and he ordered what had been caught to be 
divided, and the beft portion to be given to the Englijb ; 
this feemed to be the purport of the invitation. But a 
bufinefs of more confequence took place at this vifit: the 
third mate, the gunner, and Blip’s fteward, came over, and 
informed the Captain, that Blanchard was coming himfelf 
to fpeak to the King concerning his intention of remaining 
at Pelew ; after a fhort confultation, it was agreed to abide 
by their former determination. The Captain, in confequence, 
talking with Abba Thulle about their departure, told him 
he would, in return for the hofpitable kindnefs that both 
he and his people had fhewn them, leave one of his men 
with them, to take care of the guns and other things they 
intended to give him when they went away; which appear¬ 
ing to the King as a teftimony of confidence and eileern, 
could not fail to be very acceptable.—Evening coming on, 
our people returned to the tents, having firft informed 
Blanchard that the matter he wifhed was fettled, and in¬ 
troduced him to their Pelew friends as the perfon whom 
they intended fhould remain with them. 
In the night the weather was exceedingly bad, blowing a 
hurricane, with fo much rain that no work could be done at 
low-water, toward getting ready for the launch in the morn¬ 
ing.—At day-light the weather was cloudy, with little wind ; 
but from the very high wind in the night it was thought 
beft 
