POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
395 
able breeze had, however, been succeeded by a perfect 
calm, and the rays of the sun were exceedingly oppress¬ 
ive. As it appeared probable that the men would have 
to row the whole of the way, we agreed to defer our 
departure till the evening. This afforded me an oppor¬ 
tunity of attending public worship with the native 
Christians of the settlement, and addressing the congre¬ 
gation assembled. 
The sun was approaching the western horizon, when 
we took leave of our friends, and embarked, to prosecute 
the remainder of our voyage. We sailed across the 
beautiful bay, which for its size has justly been deno¬ 
minated one of the finest in the world, and passing along 
within the reefs to Maharepa, we again launched our 
boat, about eight o’clock in the evening. 
The excitement of watching, and fatigue of the pre¬ 
ceding part of our voyage, having induced a considerable 
degree of exhaustion of strength and spirits, we had 
not advanced far upon the open sea, before I became 
oppressed with a sensation of drowsiness, which I could 
not. remove. During my voyages among the islands, I 
have passed many nights at sea with the natives in an 
open boat, and generally found them watchful and alert 
during the early hours of night, but wearied and sleepy 
towards morning; and whenever I have felt rest neces¬ 
sary for myself, have usually taken it before midnight, 
that I might be more vigilant when my companions 
should become drowsy. This was my purpose in the 
present instance. The wind had indeed ceased, but the 
surface of the sea was agitated with a quick and cross 
motion ^ the current was against us; and it was uncertain 
how soon in the morning we should reach Matavai, our 
port of destination in the island of Tahiti. I therefore 
