408 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
On the fourth of May, we took our leave. Heavy rains 
detained us at Papeete until nearly dark, but the 
weather clearing soon after sunset, we again launched 
out boat, and, being favoured with a fair wind, arrived 
in Eimeo before midnight. We were anxious to reach 
Huahine by the Sabbath, the following being the week 
in which the Missionary anniversary occurred. Early 
the next morning, which was Saturday, we arose, and 
prepared to depart: but the wind being westerly, was 
contrary, and prevented us. About six in the morning, 
however, it changed to the north and eastward, and con¬ 
tinuing to blow steadily in that direction for an hour or 
two, we sailed from Eimeo about eight o’clock. 
The sea was agitated, and the swell continuing from 
the westward, after the breeze from that quarter had sub¬ 
sided, was against us. The wind, though favourable, 
was but light, and our progress consequently slow. Our 
little bark containing the portion of supplies from the 
Hope, for the Missionaries in the Leeward Islands, was 
heavily laden. These amounting to several tons, be¬ 
sides the number of natives on board, not only kept 
the boat steady, but brought it considerably lower in the 
water than I had ever seen it before. About mid-day 
we lost sight of Eimeo. Continuing our course in a 
north-westerly direction, soon after sun-set, while the 
radiance of the departed luminary invested the horizon 
with splendour, we had the high satisfaction to behold 
the broken summits of what we considered the Huahi- 
nean mountains, shewn in beautiful though indistinct 
contrast with the brightness of the heavens and the sea. 
The duration of twilight in the tropics is always short ; 
and the rich sunset scene, which the peculiarity of our 
situation had rendered striking and imposing, was soon 
