was not situated on an eminence, but on the side of a ridge, which was far from being the highest part of the island. In different spots on the sides of the hill, to the west of the harbour, were seen fissures in the ground, communicating with the volcano, and emitting quantities of smoke or steam, especially when it raged with most violence. The ground at these places was very hot, a sulphureous smell was felt, and particles of sulphur, with a substance that tasted like alum, were found. Near some of these spots, fig-trees were seen growing luxuriantly. On the same side of the harbour, a man scalded his fingers, in taking up a stone for ballast, out of some water; and this led to the discovery of hot springs, at the foot of the cliff. In one of these, the thermometer rose to 20212°, being very near the temperature of boiling water.
The natives soon began to be reconciled to their visitors, whose power they had been taught to respect. So careful were they to avoid giving offence, that when an axe and other articles had been left on shore, through negligence, they brought them on board. Paowang and the old people, were particularly respectful. A few of the young men were occasionally troublesome; and, in one or two instances, it was necessary to fire small shot, to check them. Other young people, however, became attached to the strangers; particularly a youth named Whā-ā-gou, who dined with the Captain, on the 9th. His friends came off in a canoe to inquire after him, and when he spoke to them from the quarter-gallery, they went on shore, and quickly returned with a cock, a little sugarcane, and a few cocoa-nuts, as a present to the Captain. The latter presented him with a pair of
