weeks afterwards made the island of Owhyee, the
largest of the Sandwich Islands. As we coasted along, we enjoyed the
most magnificent view I had ever beheld. Along the picturesque shore
were numerous beautiful plantations, while beyond it rose the rocky and
dreary sides of the gigantic Mouna Eoa, its snow-clad summit towering to
the clouds. It was on this island that Captain Cook was murdered by the
now friendly and almost civilised natives, who have, indeed, since
become in many respects completely so, and taken their place among the
nations of the world.

We sailed on, passing several islands, when we brought up in the
beautiful bay of Whytetee. Near the shore was a village situated in an
open grove of cocoa-nut trees, with the hills rising gently in the rear,
presenting a charming prospect. The more I gazed at it, the more I
longed to leave the brig, and go and dwell there, especially as I heard
that there were several respectable Englishmen and Americans already
settled on the island, and that they were held in high favour by the
king and his chiefs. Still old Tom had been so kind to me, and I
entertained so sincere a regard for him, that I could not bear the
thoughts of going away without bidding him farewell. I was afraid,
however, of letting him know my intentions. Often I thought that I
would try and persuade him to go too. I began by speaking of the
beautiful country, and the delicious climate, and the kind manners of
the people, and how pleasantly our countrymen, residing there, must pass
their lives. "I know what you are driving at, Jack," he said, "You want
to run from the ship; isn't it so?" I confessed that such was the case,
and asked him to go with me. "No, Jack," he replied, "I am not one of
those fellows who act thus; I have done many a thing I am sorry for, but
I engaged for the voyage, and swore to stick by the brig; and while she
holds together, unless the captain sets me free, I intend to do so. And
Jack, though you are at liberty to do what you like, you wouldn't leave
me, would you?" He spoke with much feeling in his tone. "Since young
Sam went, you are the only person I have cared to speak to on board, and
if you were to go, I should feel as if I were left alone in the world.
I should have liked to have made friends with those fine young men,
Duncan and McIvor. Once (you may be surprised to hear it) I was their
equal in position, but they don't trouble themselves about such a man