THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 311 
except one mufquet, and a few other articles of inferior 177% 
value. By this time alfo, we had recovered the turkey- , ^ ne ‘ > 
cock, and moft of the tools, and other matters, that had 
been: ftolen from our workmen. 
On the 25th, two boats, which I had fent to look for a Wednef. 25, 
channel, by which we might, moft commodioully, get to 
fea, returned. The Matters, who commanded them, re¬ 
ported, that the channel to the North, by which we came 
in, was highly dangerous, being full of coral rocks from 
one ftde to the other; but that, to the Eaftward, there was 
a very good channel; which, however, was very much 
contracted, in one place, by the fmall iflands; fo that a 
leading wind would be requiftte to get through it; that is, 
a Wefterly wind, which, we had found, did not often blow 
here. We had now recruited the fhips with wood and 
water; we had finilhed the repairs of our fails; and had 
little more to exped: from the inhabitants, of the produce of 
their illand. However, as an eclipfe of the fun was to 
happen upon the 5th of the next month, I refolved to de¬ 
fer failing till that time had elapfed, in order to have a 
chance of obferving it. 
Having, therefore, fome days of leifure before me, a 
party of us, accompanied by Poulaho, fet out, early next 
morning, in a boat, for Mooa, the village where he and the Thurfday 26. 
other great men ufually reftde. As we rowed up the inlet, 
we met with fourteen canoes filhing in company ; in one of 
which was Poulaho’s fon. In each canoe was a triangular 
net, extended between two poles ; at the lower end of which 
was a cod to receive and fecure the fifti. They had already 
caught fome fine mullets ; and they put about a dozen into 
our boat. I defired to fee their method of fifhing ; which 
they readily complied with. A fhoal of fifti was fuppofed 
to 
