, went on board the
steam-vessel to commence his intended survey of the island, and did me
the honour of inviting me to accompany him. At seven o'clock we left
Maidstone Bay, and proceeded towards a place to the eastward of Point
William, where Captain Owen intended to land his native prisoner, and
from whence he was expecting to receive on board Cut-throat,
Bottle-nose, and another chief, known by the name of Good-tempered Jack.
The two latter only kept their promise, but, on coming on board, they
were so impressed with fear and astonishment, particularly when the
paddles began to move, that their hearts failed them, and they retreated
to the boat with all possible celerity. The prisoner was allowed to
accompany them; but no sooner did the boat approach the shore, than,
doubting the reality of his freedom, until entirely out of our reach, he
jumped overboard, and, alternately swimming and diving, as if to elude
pursuit, he, at length, reached the shore. About a week afterwards, he
ventured to make his appearance on the beach, accompanied by
Bottle-nose, but was careful not to approach our party, until the
officer on duty threw out a signal of encouragement, when he came
forward, exchanged his palm-wine for iron hoop, and afterwards joined in
the laugh with those around him.

Pursuing our voyage, about noon, a party of natives were observed on the
beach, and Capt. Owen determined on paying them a visit, ordering a boat
to be lowered for the purpose. Unfortunately, however, it being
necessary, while in the act of lowering, to make a few retrograde
strokes of the paddle, the boat was drawn into the vortex on the right
hand, and nearly cut in two. By this accident, one of the seamen who
were in it, was thrown within the paddle, but, miraculously, taken out
unhurt; another made his escape on board the vessel; while two more were
set adrift in the sea; they were, however, soon picked up by a second
boat, which was instantly lowered, and which also succeeded in
recovering the wreck of the first. On approaching the shore, the surf
was found to be so strong, that Captain Owen was obliged to communicate
with the natives from the boat.

A few yams were purchased for some pieces of iron-hoop, which the
natives were so eager to become possessed of, that, daring the exchange,
they trembled exceedingly from the intensity of their desire. A piece
was intentionally thrown into the sea, with the view of giving them a
scramble: they al