232 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
liams, Mrs. Ellis, and myself, accompanied ouf 
friends on board the Governor Macquarie. 
After five days at sea, finding ourselves near the 
land, we entered our boat, which had been towed 
at the stern of the vessel, and, rowing to the shore, 
landed a few miles to the southward of the settle¬ 
ment at Burder’s Point. No effort had been 
wanting on the part of the captain, to render our 
voyage agreeable; but, from the smallness of the 
cabin, number of the passengers, frequent rains, 
and contrary winds, it had been tedious and 
unpleasant, and we were glad to find ourselves on 
shore again. Exhausted by the fatigues of the 
voyage, we found the walk to the settlement 
laborious; but on reaching the dwellings of our 
friends, the welcome, the refreshment, and the 
rest, we there received, soon recruited our strength 
and spirits. 
We had accomplished our business, and were at 
Papeete preparing to return, when, on the 24th of 
September, about three o’clock in the afternoon, a 
vessel of considerable size was seen approaching 
Point Venus. By the aid of a glass, we perceived 
that it was a three-masted vessel, and, in endea¬ 
vouring to ascertain its signal, we were surprised 
on beholding a large white triangular banner flying 
at the top-gallant-mast head. The ship was too 
distant to allow of our reading the motto, or per¬ 
ceiving with distinctness the device, and we could 
only conjecture the character of the vessel, or the 
object of the visit. 
The next morning, a note from Mr. Nott con* 
veyed to us the gratifying intelligence, that the 
ship was direct from England, and that G. Bennet, 
Esq. the Rev. D. Tyerman, a deputation from the 
Society, with three Missionaries, had arrived. The 
