THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
125 
As foon as they were on board, the three prifoners were re¬ 
leafed. Thus ended an affair, which had given me much 
trouble and vexation. Nor would I have exerted myfelf fo 
refolutely on the occafion, but for the reafon before men¬ 
tioned, and to fave the fon of a brother officer from being 
loft to his country. 
The wind continued conftantly between the North and 
Weft, and confined us in the harbour, till eight o’clock in 
the morning of the 7th of December; when we took the 
advantage of a light breeze which then fprung up at North 
Eaft, and, with the affiftance of all the boats, got out to fea 
with the Difcovery in company. 
During the laft week, we had been vifited by people from 
all parts of the ifland, who furniffied us with a large flock 
of hogs and green plantains. So that the time we lay wind- 
bound in the harbour was not entirely loft; green plantains 
being an excellent fubftitute for bread, as they will keep 
good a fortnight, or three weeks. Befides this fupply of 
provifions, we alfo completed our wood and water. 
The inhabitants of Ulietea feemed, in general, fmaller 
and blacker than thofe of the other neighbouring iflands; 
and appeared alfo lefs orderly, which, perhaps, may be con- 
lidered as the confequence of their having become fubjeft. 
to the natives of Bolabola. Oreo, their Chief, is only a fort 
of deputy of the fovereign of that ifland; and the conqueft 
feems to have leffened the number of fubordinate Chiefs 
refident among them; fo that they are lefs immediately 
under the infpedlion of thofe whofe intereft it is to enforce 
due obedience to authority. Ulietea, though now reduced 
to this humiliating ftate, was formerly, as we were told, 
the moft eminent of this duller of iflands; and, probably, 
the firft feat of government; for they fay, that the prefent 
royal 
1 777- 
November. 
V- - -- 
December, 
Sunday 7. 
