opportunity, we determined, as soon after landing as possible, to
separate ourselves from the rest of the men without exciting
their suspicions, and strike back at once for the mountains.
Seen from the ship, their summits appeared inaccessible, but here
and there sloping spurs extended from them almost into the sea,
buttressing the lofty elevations with which they were connected,
and forming those radiating valleys I have before described. One
of these ridges, which appeared more practicable than the rest,
we determined to climb, convinced that it would conduct us to the
heights beyond. Accordingly, we carefully observed its bearings
and locality from the ship, so that when ashore we should run no
chance of missing it.

In all this the leading object we had in view was to seclude
ourselves from sight until the departure of the vessel; then to
take our chance as to the reception the Nukuheva natives might
give us; and after remaining upon the island as long as we found
our stay agreeable, to leave it the first favourable opportunity
that offered.



CHAPTER SIX

A SPECIMEN OF NAUTICAL ORATORY--CRITICISMS OF THE SAILORS--THE
STARBOARD WATCH ARE GIVEN A HOLIDAY--THE ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAINS

EARLY the next morning the starboard watch were mustered upon the
quarter-deck, and our worthy captain, standing in the cabin
gangway, harangued us as follows:--