208 
VOYAGE TO THE 
Sandwich Islands, its form is very different. The prows 
and waists were two, but the sterns united, so as to form 
but one, and this stern, curiously carved, was carried up in 
a curve to the height of six or seven feet above the water’s 
edge. Two persons, who, by their dress and appearance, 
seemed to be of some importance, now stepped on board, 
and, to our great surprise, produced a written document 
from that branch of the London Missionary Society settled 
at Otalieite, qualifying them to act as native teachers in the 
Island of Mauti. They were very fine looking men, dressed 
in cotton shirts, cloth jackets, and a sort of petticoat of very 
fine mat instead of trowsers. 
They were much astonished at every thing they saw 
on board the frigate, though it appeared they were not 
ignorant of the use of the guns and other things, but they 
evidently had never seen so large a vessel. The galley-fire 
and the players on wind instruments in the band seemed to 
surprise and delight them more than any thing. Our bread 
they ate after smelling to it; but it is impossible to describe 
their faces of disgust on tasting wine. 
As soon as their curiosity was satisfied, we determined 
to avail ourselves of their local knowledge as guides, and to 
go ashore. We embarked in two boats, taking one of the 
missionaries in each; but we found the surf on the beach so 
