Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-05-18

| worked in shor: tacks close along shore,
the soundings in muddy bottom decreasing
and increasing as we approached or receded
from the land. Shortly after O'Clock a. m.
we again anchored off the entrance of w ain
wright's Inlet
Not particle Of the ice seen on our form
er visit remained. We had not long anchor
ed when we observed The natives carrying
their baIdars across the narrow neck between
the inlet and the sea, and launching them
Wishing to get as many Of them as l could
off to the ship. SO as to have fewer to modest
me on shore, detained the boats until two
of them came alongside. They approached
US slowly, frequently resting on their paddles
the bowman each time invariably holding up
his hands over his head at an angle Of 45
degrees, when lowering them passing them
over his breast and stomach. | made the
boatswain do the same from the forecastle
netting They always waited for his answer
before they recommepced padding.
! made them each present Of some to-
bacco and beads, (which they could hardly
understand that intended to give them with
out return.
left the ship with three boats for the ex-
animation of the inlet, and gave permission
| W thO Siip Soifpuhy - tduC TIC uo-
tves for whatever they had to dispose of,
of ivory, bows, arrows, few furs, sealskin
boots and pieces Of reindeer flesh
had not been long ON shore before these
natives left the ship and followed. Nothing
could exceed their good humor. When
about to commence my observations order
ed all trading to cease, drew large semi
circle on the sand from waters edge to wa
ter's edge, and placed the boats noses be-
tween its points. They seemed perfectly to
understand the meaning of this line; not one
of them attempted to overstep it; they squat
teu down, and remained perfectly quiet and
silent. When a stranger arrivedthe shouted
to aim, who no sooner understood them than
he crept rather than walked to the boundary,
and squatted among the rest, They danced
and sang for our amusement, played foot
ball with the seamen (who had no chance
with them, and displayed their skill in shoot
! ing at a mark. Ployer anchored IN comPa-
nv soon after noon. Calm.
i Commander Moore went on shore, erected
a mark, and buried bottle, with informa-
ton for the boats had satisfied myself be-
fore his arrival that ten feet was the greatest
depth that could be carried in; therefore
called upon him to furnish me with q report
of what his vessel could be lightened to, q
copy of which have the honor to enclose.
i By it their Lordships will perceive that,
short of taking the Plover's masts out, she
lcould not be lightened sufficiently to enter
the inlet Could It have been done with any
partial tightening, | should have attempted
it. being in every way so desirable position
4 lin the first place, from its high latitude,
the friendliness of the natives, the supply of
lreindeer's flesh we found could be obtained
|ihere, there being no other harbor south of
il nearer than KOtzebue Sound, and lastly of
the opinion Of the ice-masters Of the expo
i sure to which a vessel wintering in the latter
place would be subjected. Inside there IS a
good depth of water, and the Plover might
have been placed alongside bank, well
sheltered.
1 Wednesday, Aug. 1.-During the night
we had thick fog which cleared off at 5 a..
m. The boats left the ship to continue their
examination Commander Moore and my
self to obtain suit of magnetical and other
observations. returned to the sho shortly
after noon with the boats to put my work en-
:. paper. Commander Moore went up the in
let. and found some baidars that had just ar
rived with some reindeer cut in quarters
They were slowing it with considerable
quantity they had already collected in hole
dug in the sand-spot off Point Collie, and
appeared much annoyed at their stow-hoIe
having been discovered. 1t was deep, lined
, with logs, having a roof also of logs about
five feet above the ground, and covered with
, moss For a small quantity OF tobacco they
sold 500 pounds-as much as Com. Moore 9
boat could carry. Learning from him that
ltbey were willing to dispose of more, l sent
ieut.. Cooper, the naturalist, and the sur
n peon Il, a light boat to purchase it seeing
the boat pulling in fast directly for them,
+ they got alarmed, apd at length, before the
boat touched the beach, a woman walked to
, the waters edge and held up the bottle the
, naturalist had lost the day before, making
s;ons tn him when he landed that it bad been
; picked I'D on the beach, 1t was in the same
, state as when he lost it, the cork never hav-
inc been removed. They at least under
stand that stealing is an offence. At frst
,bev appeared rather sulky and unwilling to
nart with their meat after a few presents
thew resumed their former good humor, and
sold IA quarters, all Of them young animals
lit was without a particle of fat, badly XII
led, but still was owned by most on board q
: be sweet and tender meat.
II 4
August I3. a. m.--Fine /; wore, to stand
hack 10 the shoaI. Shoaled our wster at Ia
fathoms and at 10 a. m. | imagined ! saw
n breakers on the lee bow. Ship refused stays;
: wore, but had no less water At midnight
4 nassed over the tail Of the bank in 8 fathomsi
!. < niles N. w. of our former position. Con,
,;uued to stand to the eastward until could
weather the south end Of the shoal then
tackled, passing in Is fathoms, 3 miles sou.s
of our first position. When bore up nort1
to fix iss western edge, a slight northeriy cur,
rent TOOK me farther in that direction tnan
intended. hauled my wind for the north
ii western extre4ne of the ice that had beer
seen. At g 40 the exciting report OF iane
el ho." was made from the mast-neao; tne]
e were both soon afterwards crowded
Ell In running course along the PACK 20.
a email 0rOuO o.