450 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
strueted a bark out of the wreck of their ship, as has 
subsequently been the case with two vessels wrecked 
in the vicinity of these islands. 
It is possible that one or other of the islands might 
have been seen by some Spanish ship passing between 
Acapulco and Manilla; but it is not probable that they 
were ever visited by any of these ships. An event so 
interesting to the people would not have been left out 
of their traditions, which contain many things much 
less important; and, had the Spaniards discovered 
them, however jealous they might be of such a dis¬ 
covery becoming known to other nations, that jealousy 
would not have prevented their availing themselves 
of the facilities which the islands afforded for refitting 
or recruiting their vessels, which must frequently have 
been most desirable during the period their ships were 
accustomed to traverse these seas. 
These accounts, but particularly the latter, are gene¬ 
rally known, and have been related by different persons 
at distant places. All agree respecting the boat, cloth¬ 
ing, sword, &c. of the party who arrived at Kearake’kua. 
Among others, the late king Rihoriho gave us a detailed 
account of their landing, &c. only a short time before 
he embarked for England. We feel but little doubt 
of the fact; but the country whence they came, the 
place whither they were bound, the occasion of their 
visit, and a variety of interesting particulars connected 
therewith, will probably remain undiscovered. 
The 31st was the Sabbath. The stillness of every 
thing around, the decent apparel of those who were 
seen passing and repassing, together with the numbers 
of canoes all drawn up on the beach, under the shade 
of the cocoa-nut or kou trees, combined to mark the 
