Page:Twenty years before the mast - Charles Erskine, 1896.djvu/113

 morning, and indeed frightened, at seeing an American squadron, lying in their harbor, which had come up in  the night, unknown to any of the city authorities. Their fears were soon allayed when they learned that we were  merely on a scientific expedition.

The morning was beautiful, and the scene which met our eyes was unlike anything we had hitherto witnessed  during our voyage. The familiar language spoken, and the strong resemblance which everything bore to our  own homes, gave us an indescribable feeling of pleasure. Not long before our arrival it had been debated whether more effectual means of fortification were not necessary  for the harbor. The idea of this being needed was ridiculed by the majority, but the entrance of our ships by night seemed to change their opinion, for we might,  after firing their shipping and reducing the greater part  of their city to ashes, have effected a retreat before daylight in perfect safety. Since then they have built several new forts.

The Australian Club House was thrown open to our officers, and balls and parties were given in their honor. A few days after our arrival, the brig Camden arrived from the New Hebrides, when we learned the melancholy intelligence of the death of the Rev. John Williams, who, it appears, preached his last sermon on board  our ship, so short a time before, at the Samoan group. Mr. Cunningham related the following: "After leaving Pago Pago, they placed native missionaries at Rotuma  and Totoona. Mr. Williams landed at Tanna, which  they found in a high state of cultivation, and were hospitably received by the natives. These were Papuans,