10 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
surveyed several of the Marquesan Islands, and 
left Mr. Crook a Missionary there; he then re¬ 
turned to Tahiti, and on the 6th of July the Duff 
again anchored in Matavai Bay. The health of 
the Missionaries had not been affected by the 
climate. The conduct of the natives during his 
absence had been friendly and respectful; and 
supplies in abundance had been furnished. While 
the ship remained at Tahiti, Mr. W. Wilson made 
the tour of the island; the iron, tools, and other 
supplies for the Mission, were landed : the Mis¬ 
sionaries, and their friends on board, having spent 
a month in agreeable intercourse, now affection¬ 
ately bade each other farewell. Dr. Gilham 
having intimated to the Captain his wish to return 
to England, was taken on board, and the Duff 
finally sailed from Matavai on the 4th of August, 
1797. 
The Missionaries returning from the ship, as 
well as those on shore, watched her course as she 
slowly receded from their view, under no ordinary 
sensations. They now felt that they were cut off 
from all but Divine guidance, protection, and sup¬ 
port, and had parted with those by whose counsels 
and presence they had been assisted in entering 
upon their labours, but whom on earth they did 
not expect to meet again. Captain Wilson coasted 
along the south and western shores of Huahine, 
and then sailed to Tongatabu; where, after spend¬ 
ing twenty days with the Missionaries, who ap¬ 
peared comfortably settled, he sailed for Canton, 
where he received a cargo, with which he returned 
to England, and arrived safely in the Thames; 
having completed his perilous voyage, under cir¬ 
cumstances adapted to afford the highest satisfac¬ 
tion, and to excite the sincerest gratitude from all 
