MORE than three years have elapsed since the occurrence of the eventsrecorded in this volume. The interval, with the exception of the lastfew months, has been chiefly spent by the author tossing about onthe wide ocean. Sailors are the only class of men who now-a-days seeanything like stirring adventure; and many things which to fire-sidepeople appear strange and romantic, to them seem as common-place as ajacket out at elbows. Yet, notwithstanding the familiarity of sailorswith all sorts of curious adventure, the incidents recorded in thefollowing pages have often served, when 'spun as a yarn,' not only torelieve the weariness of many a night-watch at sea, but to excite thewarmest sympathies of the author's shipmates. He has been, therefore,led to think that his story could scarcely fail to interest those whoare less familiar than the sailor with a life of adventure.
In his account of the singular and interesting people among whom he wasthrown, it will be observed that he chiefly treats of their more obviouspeculiarities; and, in describing their customs, refrains in most casesfrom entering into explanations concerning their origin and purposes.As writers of travels among barbarous communities are generally verydiffuse on these subjects, he deems it right to advert to what may beconsidered a culpable omission. No one can be more sensible than theauthor of his deficiencies in this and many other respects; but when thevery peculiar circumstances in which he was placed are understood, hefeels assured that all these omissions will be excused.
In very many published narratives no little degree of attention isbestowed upon dates; but as the author lost all knowledge of the days ofthe week, during the occurrence of the scenes herein related, he hopesthat the reader will charitably pass over his shortcomings in thisparticular.
In the Polynesian words used in this volume,--except in those caseswhere the spelling has been previously determined by others,--that formof orthography has been employed, which might be supposed most easilyto convey their sound to a stranger. In several works descriptive of theislands in the Pacific, many of the most beautiful combinations ofvocal sounds have been altogether lost to the ear of the reader by anover-attention to the ordinary rules of spelling.
There are a few passages in the ensuing chapters which may be thoughtto bear rather hard upon a reverend order of men, the account of whoseproceedings in different quarters of the globe--transmitted to usthrough their own hands--very generally, and often very deservedly,receives high commendation. Such passages will be found, however, tobe based upon facts admitting of no contradiction, and which have comeimmediately under the writer's cognizance. The conclusions deduced fromthese facts are unavoidable, and in stating them the author has beeninfluenced by no feeling of animosity, either to the individualsthemselves, or to that glorious cause which has not always been servedby the proceedings of some of its advocates.
The great interest with which the important events lately occurringat the Sandwich, Marquesas, and Society Islands, have been regarded inAmerica 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 toappear strange, or perhaps entirely incomprehensible, to the reader;but they cannot appear more so to him than they did to the author at thetime. He has stated such matters just as they occurred, and leaves everyone to form his own opinion concerning them; trusting that his anxiousdesire to speak the unvarnished truth will gain for him the confidenceof his readers. 1846.