No doubt it would sound odd to a countryman to hear the boatswain and his mates blow through their silver calls (whistles), which are about four inches long, and sing out, one after the other, "Away, there, you Leopards, away!" "You Foxes, away!" "You Lions, away!" "Come, hurry into your boats!" "Away, there, you Elephants!" "You Turtles, and White Handkerchiefs, away!" It might be that some of the boats' crews were down on the berth deck, and then it was, "Hurry up, there, you Penguins, you Nightingales, you Albatrosses, and man your boats!" There were two officers and five men attached to each boat while we were surveying.
The following were the orders given by the commodore to the officers of the boats:
1. You will avoid landing anywhere on the mainland or islands, unless the latter should he uninhabited.
2. Every precaution must be observed in trading with these natives; and no native must be suffered to come alongside, or near our boats, without our boarding-nettings being up. All trading must be carried on over the stern of the boat, and your arms and howitzers ready to repel attack.
3. You will avoid any disputes with them, and never be off your guard, or free from suspicion. They are in no case to be trusted.
4. Your two boats must never be separated at night, but be anchored as close together as possible.
These and other instructions were often given while standing in the bow of the boat, heaving the lead, or resting on our oars while the officers were measuring base by sound.
When looking down into the water upon the coral
