150 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES* 
During the forenoon of the 18th, our men went 
to the mountains, and cut down a new sprit for 
our sail, and prepared for the prosecution of the 
voyage. The favourable breeze had, however, 
been succeeded by a perfect calm, and the rays of 
the sun were exceedingly oppressive. As it ap¬ 
peared probable that the men would have to row 
the whole of the way, we agreed to defer our 
departure till the evening. This afforded me an 
opportunity of attending public worship with the 
native Christians of the settlement, and addressing 
the congregation assembled. 
The sun was approaching the western horizon, 
when we took leave of our friends, and embarked, 
to prosecute the remaining parts of our voyage. We 
passed across the beautiful bay, which, for its size 
has j ustly been denominated one of the finest in 
the world, and, continuing within the reefs to 
Maharepa, again sailed forth on the ocean, about 
eight o’clock in the evening. 
The excitement, watching, and fatigue of the 
preceding part of our voyage, having induced an 
exhaustion of strength and spirits, we had not 
advanced far upon the open sea, before I became 
oppressed with a sensation of drowsiness, which I 
could not remove. During my voyages among 
the islands, I have passed many nights at sea with 
the natives in an open boat, and generally found 
them watchful and alert during the early hours of 
darkness, but wearied and sleepy towards morning ; 
and whenever I have felt rest necessary for myself, 
have usually taken it before midnight, that I might 
be more vigilant when my companions should 
become drowsy. This was my purpose in the 
present instance. The wind had indeed ceased, 
but the surface of the sea was agitated with a 
