CHAP. VIJ. 
INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR. 
187 
war, in which he with others had been placed by Eadama. 
A sort of joroces verbal respecting the wreck of the “ Eureka,” 
which the captain wished to have authenticated by his signa¬ 
ture, in order to claim the insurance on the vessel, occupied 
some considerable time; after which the governor came and 
examined with much interest the camera, which was standing 
in the yard. The distinct definite figure of one of his atten¬ 
dants, as shown on the ground glass, seemed greatly to excite 
his curiosity, and he said, if I could stay two or .three days 
he should like to have his own portrait. I tried with the 
chief, whose dress in the mean time had been brought, but 
the sun was too far advanced; and the prince appeared the 
better reconciled to his disappointment from a hope which he 
expressed of visiting Tamatave before I left the island. 
The following day being rainy, I was confined most of the 
time to the house, where, notwithstanding the unfavourable 
weather, I saw many of the natives. Several of those who 
had spent the evenings with me brought small presents, such 
as a basket of eggs, a fowl, or some neatly made little native 
baskets, with other similar tokens of good will. Towards 
evening the rain abated, and I walked out in company with 
my friends along the sea-shore, to the spot where the wreck 
had taken place. On my return the chief joined us, and we 
had a most deeply interesting conversation. The remarks of 
my friends during our walk, when they spoke of the vastness 
and wonders of the deep, or the beneficence manifested in the 
works of the creation, indicated a degree of reflection and 
religious feeling which to me was exceedingly gratifying. 
The evening was passed pleasantly in company with the 
friendly natives of the place, and I arranged for my departure 
at a very early hour in the morning, hoping by additional 
bearers to reach Tamatave during the night. 
On the 9th of September we were stirring while it was yet 
dark, and the young chief, accompanied by one of his at- 
