sport, it uttered a shrill cry, and dived out of sight. At this a large whale, probably its mother, darted swiftly towards them, and it was only by pulling aside with all possible dexterity, that they escaped being dashed in pieces. Thus baffled, she turned as though meditating another trial, when she paused, and cast upon them a look, seemingly full of anger and contempt at their insignificance, and turning her head towards the ship, as if she had discovered an object more worthy on which to wreak her vengeance, half erected her body, and made for it with frightful rapidity. Those on board saw the approach of the furious creature, but supposed that at the appearance of so large a hulk, she would turn aside. But they reckoned without their host, for she came on with undiminished velocity, and striking full against the prow, caused every plank to quiver and shake as though falling from its fellow. But a more just idea may be imparted by Captain Pollard's own account of it, as it has since appeared in print: "The whale, as though hurt by the severe concussion, shook its enormous head and sheered off to so considerable a distance that for some time we lost sight of her from the starboard quarter; of which we were very glad, hoping that the worst was over. Nearly an hour afterwards we saw the same fish-we had no doubt of this from her size and the direction in which she came-making again towards us. We were at once aware of our danger, but escape was impossible. She dashed her head this time against the ship's side, and so broke it in that she filled rapidly, and soon became water-logged. At the second shock, expecting her to go down, we lowered our three boats with the utmost expedition, and all hands, twenty in the whole, got into them; seven, seven, and six. In a little while, as she did not sink, we ventured on board again; and

by scuttling the deck, were enabled to get some biscuit, beef, water, rum, two sextants, the quadrant, and three compasses. These, together with some rigging, a few muskets, powder, &c., we brought away; and dividing the stores among our small crews, rigged the boats as well as we could, there being a compass for each, and a sextant for two, and a quadrant for one; but neither sextant nor quadrant for the third. Then, instead of pushing away for some port, so amazed and bewildered were we, that we continued sitting in our places, gazing upon the vessel as though she had been an object of the tenderest affection. Our eyes could not leave her, till at the end of several hours, she gave a slight reel, then down she sank. No words can tell our feelings. We looked at each other; we looked at the place where she had so lately been afloat, and did not cease to look, till the terrible conviction of our abandoned and perilous situation, roused us to exertion, if deliverance were yet possible.

We now consulted about the course it might be best to take-westward to India, eastward to South America, or southward to the Society Isles. We knew that we were at no great distance from Tahiti; but were so ignorant of the state and temper of the inhabitants, that we feared that we should be devoured by canibals, if we cast ourselves on their mercy. It was determined, therefore, to make for South America, which we computed to be more than two thousand miles distant. Accordingly, we steered eastward, and though for several days harrassed with squalls, we continued to keep together. It was not long before we found one of the boats had started a plank; which was no wonder, for whale boats are all clinker-built, and very slight, being made of half inch plank only, before planing. To remedy this alarming defect, we all turned to; and having emptied the

contents of the damaged boat into the others, we raised her sides as well as we could, and succeeded in restoring the plank at the bottom. Through this accident, the biscuit had became injured by the salt water. This was equally divided among the boats' crews. Food and water, meanwhile, with our utmost economy, rapidly failed. Our strength was exhausted, not by abstinence only, but by the labor we were obliged to perform, to keep our little vessels afloat, amid the storms which repeatedly assailed us. One night we parted in rough weather; but though the next day we fell in with one of our companion boats, we never saw or heard any more of the other, which probably perished at sea, being without either sextant or quadrant. When we were reduced to the last pinch, and out of every thing, having been more than three weeks aboard, we were cheered with the sight of a low, uninhabted island, which we reached in hope, but were bitterly disappointed. There were some barren bushes, and many rocks, on this forlorn spot. The only provisions that we could

procure, were a few birds and their eggs. This supply was soon reduced. The sea fowls appear to have been frightened away, and their nests were left empty after we had once or twice plundered them. What distressed us most, was the utter want of fresh water. We could not find a drop any where, till at the extreme verge of ebb tide, a small spring was discovered in the sand; but even that was too scanty to afford us sufficient to quench our was covered by the waves at their return.

thirst, before it There being no

prospect but that of starvation here, we determined to put to sea again. Three of our comrades, however, chose to remain, and we pledged ourselves to send a vessel to bring them off, if we ourselves should escape to a christian port. With a very small morsel of biscuit for each, and a little

if

water, we again ventured out on the wide ocean. In the course of a few days our provision was consumed. Two men died. We had no alternative but to live upon their remains. These we roasted to dryness by means of fires kindled on the ballast-sand at the bottom of the boats. When this supply was spent, what could we do? We looked at each other with horrid thoughts in our minds, but we held our tongues. I am sure we loved each other as brothers all the time; and yet our looks plainly told what must be done. We cast lots, and the fatal one fell on my poor cabin boy. I started forward instantly and cried out, "my lad, my lad, you don't like your lot, I'll shoot the first man who touches you." The poor emaciated boy hesitated for a moment or two, then quietly laying his head upon the gunwale of the boat, he said, "I like it as well as any other." He was soon despatched, and nothing of him left. I think that another man died of himself, and him too we ate. But I can tell you no more. My head is on fire at the recollection. I forgot to say that we parted company with the second boat before now. After some more days of horror and despair, when some were lying down at the bottom of the boat, not able to rise, and scarcely one of us could move a limb, a vessel hove in sight! We were taken on board, and treated with extreme kindness. The second boat lost was also picked up at sea, and the survivors saved. A ship afterwards sailed in search of our companions on the desolate island, and brought them away."

CHAPTER IV.

Black Fish--Dance of the Porpoises-See Land-Heights of Owyhee— Venerable Pilot-His after kindness-Ladies left alone-Return of the Gentlemen-Cargo of Bananas, &c—Visitors-Landing—Settle for the Winter-Dress of the Natives-Numbers and occupationsFemales' attempt at Imitation--Funeral ceremonies of the PrincessProcession-Cahelas-Visit to Youii-Craters and Battle Field—Tamaahaah---Half-Caste School-Mrs. White's School--Young Prince-Character of the Children-Nurse Kakeria-Her love for Silas Valuable Presents.

WHEN in about 40° south latitude, our voyagers witnessed a singular scene. For two or three hours they had been followed by hundreds of black fish, and were loitering about the deck, when suddenly, in all directions around them, the sea seemed to be literally alive with what they discovered to be porpoises. They were leaping about, apparently in high glee, shining and flashing in the rays of the sun, increasing in numbers, until, as far as the eye could scan, were seen the dancing, glittering multitude. It was a novel sight, so entirely differing from any thing they had seen in their voyage, they were enchanted.

They were now nearing the Sandwich Islands, and for a day or two before descrying land, the crew, as well as passengers, were all anxiety and expectation. They had become thoroughly wearied with their long confinement; were getting short of food, having been long since out of vegetables, for want of which one of the company had been attacked with that dreadful disease, the scurvy. As the ship