Mr. Lawes decided to remain at Kerepunu to revise for the press a small
book Anedered has been preparing, and to follow us to Teste Island in the
_Ellengowan_. We left Kerepunu on the morning of November 8th, the
_Mayri_ leaving at the same time, to sail down inside the surf. We went
right out to sea, so as to beat down, had fine weather, and were off
Teste Island by the 16th. After dinner we took the boat, and with the
captain went in on the east side of the island through the reef, to sound
and find anchorage.
When we reached the lagoon, a catamaran with three natives on it came off
to us. We asked for Koitan, the chief, which at once gave them
confidence in us, so that they came alongside, one getting into the boat.
He expressed his friendship to us in the usual way, viz. by touching his
nose and stomach, and, being very much excited, seized hold of Mr.
McFarlane and rubbed noses with him, doing the same to me. He received a
present of a piece of hoop-iron and some red braid, which greatly pleased
him.
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