Fortescue Straits. Next morning, we sailed through the Straits, and, on
coming out on the opposite side, we were glad to see the _Bertha_ beating
about there. By noon we were on board the _Bertha_, and off for South
Cape, the _Mayri_ going to Teste Island with a letter, telling the
captain of the _Ellengowan_ to follow us, and also to see if the teachers
were all right.

By evening we were well up to South Cape. The captain did not care to
get too near that night, and stood away till morning. About ten next
morning I accompanied the captain in the boat, to sound and look for
anchorage, which we found in twenty-two fathoms, near South-West Point.
By half-past fire that evening we anchored. The excitement ashore was
great, and before the anchor was really down we were surrounded by
canoes. As a people, they are small and puny, and much darker than the
Eastern Polynesians. They were greatly excited over Pi's baby, a fine
plump little fellow, seven months old, who, beside them, seemed a white
child. Indeed, all they saw greatly astonished them. Canoes came off to
us very early in the morning. About half-past seven, when we were ready
to go ashore, there arose great consternation amongst the natives. Three
large war canoes, with conch-shells blowing, appeared off the mainland
and paddled across the Mayri Straits. Soon a large war canoe appeared
near the vessel. A great many small canoes from various parts of the
mainland were ordered off by those on whose side we were anchored. They
had to leave. On their departure a great shout was raised by the
victorious party, and in a short time all returned quietly to their
bartering. It seemed that the Stacy Islanders wished to keep all the
bartering to themselves. They did not wish the rest to obtain hoop-iron
or any other foreign wealth. They are at feud with one party on the
mainland, and I suppose in their late contests have been victorious, for
they told us with great exultation that they had lately killed and eaten