[19] According to the admeasurement of Dr Horner, astronomer to the Russian expedition under captain Krusenstern, in 1804, the height of Mouna-roa is 2,254 toises. Krusenstern’s Voyage, vol. 1. p. 193.
[20] Scotice, “on his hunkers.” The emphatic word used by the author in describing this particular mode of genuflexion, and which has no English synonyme into which it can be translated, is thus defined by Jamieson: “to sit with the hips hanging downwards, and the weight of the body depending on the knees.”—Scot. Dict. verb Hunkers.
“Wi’ ghastly e’e, poor Tweedle-dee,
Upon his hunkers bended.”—Burns.
[21] The author was obliged to employ a boy to work the treadles, not being able to work them himself from the loss of his feet.
[22] During the thirteen months the author remained on the island, there were at least twelve ships called at Wahoo, of which two were English, the Duke of Portland, captain Spence; and the Otter, Jobelin. One Russian, the Neva; and the remainder Americans, viz. the Catherine, Blanchard; O’Kean, Winship; Otter, Hill; Vancouver, Swift; Liddy, Brown; Dromo, Woodward; and three or four more, when he was at Pearl river, whose names he does not remember.
[23] Captain Portlocke distinguishes the first of these points by the name of Point Dick, and the latter by that of Point Banks.
Portlocke, p. 75.
[24] Captain Broughton mentions a harbour which he surveyed, called Fair Haven, which lies five or six miles E. S. E. of Whyteete; it is formed by an opening through the reefs, with a clear channel, in a N. N. E. direction. The wind generally blows fresh out of it, rendering it necessary to warp in, as there is no room for working. The harbour, though of small extent, is safe and convenient, with five fathoms sandy bottom within the spits. A fine stream of fresh water empties itself at the head. It was discovered in 1794 by Mr. Brown, master of the Butterworth, the same who was afterwards murdered by the natives at this place. Vide Broughton’s Voyage, p. 39.
[25] Hairbottle had been fifteen years on the island, he was mate of the Jackall, which arrived about the end of 1794. Vide Broughton.
[26] This inlet is evidently the same which Captain Vancouver surveyed, and which, he says, is named Oropoa; finding that, in consequence of the bar, it was only navigable for small craft, the survey was not continued. He merely says, that within “it seemed to spread out, and to terminate in two bays about a mile farther to the northward.” He mentions another opening to the eastward, called by the natives Honoonoona, which must be either Bass’s harbour or Hanaroora. From the similarity of the name, it is more probably the latter place; but he passed it without examination, being informed that it was shallower than the other inlet.