An extraordinary and unexpected meeting with a person not a native.--Happy result of the meeting.--Acquisition of the Pelew language.--Dissensions between two portions of the natives.--Three of the ship's company separated and carried to a place remote from the rest.--Attempt to construct a boat, in order to leave the island.--The natives agree to release them all for a compensation.--Solemnities observed by the natives on the occasion.--Tools used in making the boat; transportation of timber, &c.--The plan abandoned, and a canoe substituted for the boat.--Another festival. An interesting incident now occurred. Just at the time when the servant of the prophetess brought out the materials for our repast, we observed, at a little distance, a singular looking being approaching us. His appearance was that of a man of sixty. His hair was long and gray, unlike that of the natives. His legs, arms, and breast were tattooed. His step was quick and firm; his motions indicating that he felt himself a person of not a little importance. His teeth were entirely gone, and his mouth was black with the use of "kabooa." Judge of our emotions on hearing this strange being address us in broken English! His first exclamation was--"My God, you are Englishmen!" He immediately said, "You are safe now;" but he gave us to understand, that it was next to a miracle that we had escaped being killed on the water. This person was by birth an Englishman, and had been on the island about twenty-nine years. He told us that he had been a hatter by trade, and that his name was Charles Washington. He had been a private in the British naval service, on board the Lion man-of-war. Cruising in those seas, he had, while on duty, been guilty of some trifling offence; and, apprehending that he should be severely punished for it, had left the ship, and taken up his residence upon the island. He seemed to be contented with his situation, and had no desire to return to his native country. He had attained to great celebrity, and was the sixth chief among them. His authority seemed great, and he exercised it with exemplary discretion. Observing the provisions before us, he told us that they were for our use, and desired us to partake of whatever we preferred. Seeing that we were likely to be somewhat annoyed by the crowd of young persons who had collected around us, he swung his battle-axe over their heads, and giving them to understand that we belonged to _him_, immediately caused them to disperse. Arrangements were soon made for our accommodation. A part of one of the "pyes" was appropriated to our use, and we were furnished with mats, and other things for our comfort and convenience. Here we remained for about a month, and were regularly supplied by the natives with a sufficiency of provisions of various kinds, such as hogs, goats, fish, yams, cocoa-nuts, bread-fruit, preserved almonds, and occasionally with sweet potatoes.