[figure description] Preface vii.[end figure description]

More than three years have elapsed since the occurrence
of the events recorded in this volume. The interval, with
the exception of the last few months, has been chiefly spent
by the author tossing about on the wide ocean. Sailors are
the only class of men who now-a-days see anything like
stirring adventure; and many things which to fire-side
people appear strange and romantic, to them seem as common-place
as a jacket out at elbows. Yet, notwithstanding
the familiarity of sailors with all sorts of curious adventure,
the incidents recorded in the following pages have often
served, when “spun as a yarn,” not only to relieve the
weariness of many a night-watch at sea, but to excite the
warmest sympathies of the author's shipmates. He has
been therefore led to think that his story could scarcely
fail to interest those who are less familiar than the sailor
with a life of adventure.

In his account of the singular and interesting people
among whom he was thrown, it will be observed that he
chiefly treats of their more obvious peculiarities; and, in
describing their customs, refrains in most cases from entering
into explanations concerning their origin and purposes.
As writers of travels among barbarous communities are
generally very diffuse on these subjects, he deems it right
to advert to what may be considered a culpable omission.

[figure description] Preface viii.[end figure description]

No one can be more sensible than the author of his deficiencies
in this and many other respects; but when the very
peculiar circumstances in which he was placed are understood,
he feels assured that all these omissions will be excused.

In very many published narratives no little degree of
attention is bestowed upon dates; but as the author lost
all knowledge of the days of the week, during the occurrence
of the scenes herein related, he hopes that the reader
will charitably pass over his shortcomings in this particular.

In the Polynesian words used in this volume—except in
those cases where the spelling has been previously determined
by others—that form of orthography has been employed,
which might be supposed most easily to convey
their sound to a stranger. In several works descriptive of
the islands in the Pacific, many of the most beautiful combinations
of vocal sounds have been altogether lost to the
ear of the reader by an over-attention to the ordinary rules
of spelling.

There are a few passages in the ensuing chapters, which
may be thought to bear rather hard upon a reverend order
of men, the account of whose proceedings in different quarters
of the globe—transmitted to us through their own
hands—very generally, and often very deservedly, receives
high commendation. Such passages will be found, however,
to be based upon facts admitting of no contradiction,
and which have come immediately under the writer's cognisance.
The conclusions deduced from these facts are
unavoidable, and in stating them the author has been influenced
by no feeling of animosity, either to the individuals
themselves or to that glorious cause which has not

[figure description] Preface ix.[end figure description]

always been served by the proceedings of some of its advocates.

The great interest with which the important events
lately occurring at the Sandwich, Marquesas, and Society
Islands, has been regarded in America and England, and
indeed throughout the world, will, he trusts, justify a few
otherwise unwarrantable digressions.

There are some things related in the narrative which
will be sure to appear strange, or perhaps entirely incomprehensible,
to the reader; but they cannot appear more
so to him than they did to the author at the time. He has
stated such matters just as they occurred, and leaves every
one to form his own opinion concerning them; trusting
that his anxious desire to speak the unvarnished truth will
gain for him the confidence of his readers.

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