rthward than I fancied,
but hereabouts I have no doubt we shall find them," he said in a
positive tone.

We accordingly extended our search, keeping always a sharp look-out from
the mast-head. Old Tom frequently went up himself, spy-glass in hand,
to sweep the horizon. At length, about noon on the sixth day, while he
was aloft he raised a cheerful shout--

"Land, land! Away to the eastward; it is the island we are looking
for!" As we had a fresh southerly breeze, the schooner was at once
headed up in the direction he indicated. In a short time we could make
out the land from the deck, which greatly resembled the other islands we
had passed, looking like a fleet of vessels at anchor close together.
As we stood on we could distinguish several smaller islands lying off
the large one, which was the most thickly covered with trees. On
getting still nearer we perceived a channel of clear water, along which
we hoped to proceed to an anchorage off the larger island of which Tom
had told us, and as he had marked it well on his former visit he
undertook to pilot the schooner to it. Of course we took the usual
precautions of heaving the lead and having a man at the mast-head, and
one at each yardarm, while Tom himself stood forward, his hand shading
his eyes. The dangers were fewer than we expected, and with infinite
satisfaction we at length brought up in a secure harbour.

As we approached it a number of canoes similar to those I have before
described, each carrying three men, came off to us. The natives
appeared inclined to be friendly, for some were singing a song of
welcome, and others waving green branches.

Summoning Tom Tubb and Jacky Pott to act as interpreters, we let the
natives understand that we could only admit a dozen on board at a time,
and that they must come unarmed. To this they made no objection, but
seemed at once perfectly at their ease. From the curiosity they
exhibited, they were evidently not accustomed to the sight of vessels in
their harbour. They told the New Zealander that they had seen on some
time before, which confirmed the account the mate had given of his
visit. When told that we came to buy pearls, they appeared in no way
surprised, and at once agreed to supply us with as many as we wished
for, as also with mother-of-pearl shells; the latter, though bulky, were
well worth carrying, as there was at the time much demand for them in
the market. My brother at once arranged the price