Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/191

 Dillon had quitted Vanikoro, he anchored before Hobart Town. There he heard of Dillon’s success, and further he learned that a certain James Hobbs, mate of the Union, of Calcutta, had landed on an island situated in 8° 18′ south lat., and 156° 30′ east long., and had remarked the iron bars and the red stuffs which were in use by the aborigines.

Dumont d’Urville was much perplexed, and did not know whether he could believe these reports, so he finally decided to follow Dillon's tracks.

On the 10th February, 1828, the Astrolabe appeared before Tikopia, and, taking on board as guide a deserter who had taken up his abode in the island, he made Vanikoro on the 12th February, and anchored in the harbour of Vanou.

On the 23rd, many of the officers explored the island and brought back a few unimportant relics. The natives, by denials and evasions, refused to lend them assistance in discovering the locality of the disaster. This suspicious conduct gave the French reason to believe that the natives had maltreated the shipwrecked crews, and, in fact, they appeared to be fearful that d’Urville would avenge La Perouse and his unfortunate companions.

However, on the 26th, by presents, &c., the natives were induced to believe that there was nothing to fear, and they conducted the mate, M. Jacquinot, to the scene of the wreck.

There, in three or four fathoms of water, between the Pacon and Vanou reefs, lay anchors, cannon, pig-iron, and lead, embedded in the calcareous secretions. The long boat and the whaler of the Astrolabe were sent to the spot, and after much labour they returned with an