24 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
These indeed were formerly the only articles of 
trade, with the exception of ardent spirits, that 
many adventurers ever thought of giving to unci¬ 
vilized nations, in exchange for the produce of 
their countries! The natives crowded the ship ; 
and Pomare, who was on board, beheld with 
expressions of contempt the poverty of the vessel, 
and the distress of her crew. In the minds of the 
Missionaries their circumstances awakened com¬ 
passion, and they readily offered to furnish the 
captain, so far as their means admitted, 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 Island¬ 
ers 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, when they had in¬ 
creased their supplies. In the course of the night, 
two seamen absconded with the ship’s boat; and 
the next morning the captain and supercargo 
addressed a letter to the Missionaries, acquainting 
them with the desertion of the men; and their 
determination, in consequence of their deficiency 
of hands, to recover them, cost what it would; 
soliciting, at the same time, aid in effecting their 
