486 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
of thick mist, and within, a substance resembling 
steam, ascending apparently with a spiral motioiii 
We could not perceive that much effect was produced 
on the cloud attached to the upper part of the 
column, hut the water at its base was considerably agi¬ 
tated with a whirling motion ; while the spray, which 
was thrown off from the circle formed by the lower 
part of the column, rose apparently twenty feet 
above the level of the sea. After watching in breath¬ 
less suspense for some time its advance in a direct 
line towards our ship, we had the satisfaction to see 
it incline in its course towards the starboard quar¬ 
ter, and ultimately pass by about a mile distant from 
the stern. The ropes of the sails were again fastened, 
the men repaired to their respective stations, and we 
pursued our way under the influence of increased thank¬ 
fulness for the deliverance we had experienced. 
The storm, which had raged with violence ever 
since an hour after our departure from Huahine, began 
to abate towards the close of the day: we did not, 
however, see the land, and knew not whither we had 
drifted; but soon after the setting of the sun, the 
clouds dispersed, and a streak of light lingering in 
the western sky, indicated the direction in which we 
ought to proceed. The rain now ceased, the wind 
subsided; and although the surface of the sea was con¬ 
siderably agitated, it was no longer that quick dashing 
conflict of the waves to which we had been exposed 
while ‘‘a war of mountains raged upon its surface,’^ 
but a long and heavy sluggish sort of motion. We 
pulled in our bundle of masts and oars, and placing 
the masts along the seats of the boat, the natives man¬ 
ned the oars, and rowed towards the west. 
