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that this island should be the first place the squadron should go to, on account of its central position, which, if the harbour proved convenient, offered the best point whence to superintend the duties and to fix my observatory at; Tom was therefore taken on board, and remained with us during the whole time we were in the Feejee Group, and I was well satisfied with him; in short, he did not belie his countenance.

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CHAPTER II.

CONTENTS.

DEPARTURE FROM TONGATABOO-THE PORPOISE DETACHED-ENTRANCE INTO THE FEEJEE GROUP-ARRIVAL AT LEVUKA-TUI LEVUKA-MESSAGE SENT TO TANOAPLANS OF OPERATION-TENDER OF THE SHIP LEONIDAS-EXCURSION TO THE PEAK OF ANDULONG OBSERVATORY ESTABLISHED – BOATS DETACHED TO SURVEY ORDERS TO THE OFFICERS ARRIVAL OF THE FLYING-FISH-PRECAUTIONS-ARRIVAL OF TANOA-HIS RECEPTION AT LEVUKA-HIS VISIT TO THE VINCENNES HIS ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS-HIS SUITE-HIS SECOND VISIT-DISTRICTS OF OVOLAU-LABOURS OF TUI LEVUKA-RULING POWER IN OVOLAU-TOWN OF LEVUKA-DISTRICTS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP-RECENT HISTORY OF AMBAU-INTRODUCTION OF FIRE-ARMS-REIGN OF ULIVOU— ACCESSION OF TANOA - WAR WITH REWA REBELLION AGAINST TANOA HIS TRIUMPHAL RETURN DISTURBANCES BETWEEN AMBAU AND REWA - PREPARATIONS FOR MAKING A GARDEN-ROYAL PRESENT FROM TANOA-DEATH OF DAVID BATEMAN-VISIT FROM SERU-HIS RECEP. TION ON BOARD THE VINCENNES VISIT FROM PADDY CONNEL-HIS HISTORY.

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CHAPTER II

OVO LAU.

1840.

Ar daylight on the 4th of May, the squadron got under way from the harbour of Nukualofa, and passing without the reefs through a narrow passage, safely bore off to the westward under all sail, having the wind from east-northeast. At meridian we had the islands of Honga Tonga and Honga Hapai to the north of us; these are both high, and are distant from Tonga twenty-seven miles. On the 5th we had a sight of Turtle Island, and determined it to be in longitude 178° 16′ W., latitude 19° 48′ S.;* it has the appearance of a small rounded knoll. The wind was blowing fresh from the southeast, and after dark I determined to heave-to, to await daylight, off the southern and eastern islands of the Feejee Group; this was done in order to set the Porpoise at her work. Since leaving Tonga, we have found ulcers prevalent among our men, from the bites they had received; they were inflammatory and difficult to cure, prevailing among those apparently most healthy. Just at dawn we made an island, and at the same time a large sandbank, about half a mile from us; had darkness continued half an hour longer, we should have probably been wrecked upon the latter, as I did not believe myself within five miles of it. Our unexpected vicinity to it was caused by a strong current to the northward.

At 6 A. M. we began our observations, and at eight I made signal to the Porpoise to part company, in order that Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold might proceed to carry into execution the orders which will be found in Appendix II.

We continued our course with the Peacock and Flying-Fish in

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