THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 
213 
the Maher in a boat, to found the coaft; to look out for a 
landing-place; and, if he fhould find one, to examine if 
frefh water could be conveniently got in its neighbourhood. 
To give him time to execute his commiffion, we followed, 
under an eafy fail, with the flrips. As foon as we were 
abreaft, or to the Weftward of the South point of Oneeheow, 
we found thirty, twenty-five, and twenty fathoms water, 
over a bottom of coral fand, a mile from the fhore. 
At ten o’clock, the Mailer returned, and reported, that he 
had landed in one place, but could find no frefh water; and 
that there was anchorage all along the coalt. Seeing a vil¬ 
lage a little farther to leeward; and fome of the illanders, 
who had come off to the fhips, informing us, that frefh 
water might be got there, I ran down, and came to an an¬ 
chor before it, in twenty-fix fathoms water, about three 
quarters of a mile from the Ihore. The South Eafi: point of 
the illand bore South, 65 0 Eafi, three miles dillant; the 
other extreme of the illand bore North by Ealt, about two 
or three miles dillant; a peaked hill, inland, North Eaft, a 
quarter Eall; and another illand, called Tahoora, which was 
difcovered the preceding evening, bore South, 6i° Well, 
dillant feven leagues. 
Six or feven canoes had come off to us, before we an¬ 
chored, bringing fome fmall pigs anekpotatoes, and a good 
many yams and mats. The people in them refembled thofe 
of Atooi; and feemed to be equally well acquainted with 
the ufe of iron, which they alked for alfo by the names of 
hamaite and toe- parting readily with all their commodities 
for pieces of this precious metal. Several more canoes foon 
reached the fhips, after they had anchored; but the na¬ 
tives in thefe feemed to have no other objefi, than to pay 
us a formal vilit. Many of them came readily on board, 
crouching 
1778. 
January. 
I... J 
