By this time the natives had become nearly as anxious to part with us as we had ever been to leave them; and being mutually desirous to be rid of each other's company, we lost no time in preparing for our departure. Our object now was to get into the open sea, with the hope of falling in with some vessel on its passage to China or elsewhere, and thus be able, after a while, to find a conveyance to America. Provisions were furnished us by the natives; but we greatly needed a compass, and with much difficulty obtained one. Captain Wilson, who had been shipwrecked there many years before, left his compass with one of the chiefs, whom we finally succeeded in inducing to part with it. It had become much impaired by time and improper usage, but served as a tolerable guide.[3]

It is proper here to state the particulars of our agreement with the natives of this island. They had, as before related, furnished us with the means of subsistence, and with comfortable lodgings; and, for the purpose of enabling us to return home, had been at great expense in fitting up a craft, such as they thought would answer to convey us wherever we pleased to go. According to their notions, we were persons of sufficient consequence in the estimation of our countrymen, to fulfil any engagement we might make with them, and to the extent to which, in our necessity, we were compelled to go, in order to obtain the object which we had in view, should the government consider itself bound; and it would be no less an act of justice than of humanity, to secure the friendship and confidence of these islanders; so that, should others unfortunately fall into their hands, their lives and property might be respected. It is also important, that those who engage in commercial pursuits should have every protection extended to them. It would cost the government but a mere trifle to secure an amicable understanding with these islanders; and it is but reasonable to hope that no time will be lost in making the attempt.

Situated as we were, we did not feel ourselves at liberty to expostulate against the obvious unreasonableness of their demands. We were, in truth, indebted to them for our maintenance while among them, and for the assistance they rendered us in fitting up our craft; and, as a suitable requital for these favors, and to remunerate them for their hospitality, we solemnly assured them, that, should fortune so far prosper us, as to enable us once more to reach our native country, we would send to them two hundred muskets, ten casks of powder, with a corresponding quantity of balls and flints. Besides this, we gave them assurances of having several articles of ornament, such as beads, belts, combs, and trinkets of various kinds.

On the 27th of October, 1832, we set sail, having the boat in which we had escaped from the ship, and which we had repaired as well as we were able, and the canoe which had been constructed by the natives especially for our use. It was agreed, that three of our number, viz. Davis, Meder, and Alden, should remain on the island as hostages, and that three of the natives (two chiefs, and one of the common class) should accompany us, to see that the agreement made with them should be faithfully executed. Fearing that the natives residing on the other part of the island might come upon us and prevent our going, we took our departure in the night. We soon found that our boats leaked so badly that it would be next to madness to proceed, and we returned in the course of the night. Our unexpected return gave great offence; but we insisted that to go to sea in that condition would be certain destruction. They at length consented to assist in repairing the canoe and boat, and to suffer us to remain long enough to complete our arrangements more to our mind.

We were detained by these operations about a month, and then again took our leave of the spot where we had remained so long against our will; though we would not conceal the fact, that the rude kindness of the natives had so entirely overbalanced their faults, that, on parting with them, we experienced emotions of regret, and were quite overpowered with a sense of our obligations to them for the many favors which they had bestowed upon us. They had regarded and treated us as beings of a higher order than themselves; and our conduct had inspired them with a veneration and confidence almost unbounded. As a proof of this, three of their number were committed to our care, and were entirely willing to place themselves at our disposal.

Seven of our number now took the canoe, viz., Bouket, Sedon, Andrews, Hulet, and the three natives. Captain Barnard, Rollins, Nute, and myself preferred the ship's boat. We were accompanied on our passage the first day by a large number of the natives. At night, as we had then succeeded in getting beyond the reef, they left us, and we continued our course.