84 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Bishop, and originally bound to the north-west coast of 
America for furs. Being driven by a heavy gale to Kamts- 
chatka, and, unable to pursue her intended voyage, she had 
altered her course for Massuefero, near the South American 
coast, but had been compelled by stress of weather to 
steer for Tahiti. The ship was in great distress, the 
crew in want of most of the necessaries of life, and the 
captain had nothing to barter with the natives for sup¬ 
plies, but muskets and powder. These indeed were for¬ 
merly the only articles of trade, with the exception of 
ardent spirits, that many adventurers ever thought of 
giving to uncivilized nations, in exchange for the pro¬ 
duce of their countries! The natives crowded the ship; 
and Pomare, who was on board, beheld with expres¬ 
sions of contempt the poverty of the vessel, and the 
distress of her crew. In the minds of the Missionaries 
their circumstances awakened compassion, and they 
readily offered to furnish the captain with such supplies 
as the island afforded, and to assist him in procuring 
water. 
The Nautilus had touched at the Sandwich Islands, 
and had brought away some of the natives: while the 
vessel remained, five of these absconded; one was 
brought back, but escaped again. The vessel remained 
five days at Tahiti, procured such supplies as the crew 
were most in need of, and ultimately sailed, leaving the 
five Sandwich Islanders on shore. 
Exactly a fortnight after her departure, this vessel 
again entered Matavai Bay, much to the surprise of the 
Missionaries, who were informed by the captain and 
supercargo, that, in consequence of a severe gale off 
Huahine, she was unfitted for her voyage to Massuefero, 
and that they intended to proceed to Port Jackson, 
