In various parts of my Narrative, I have given the reader to understand that many points of importance were reserved for the conclusion. To these I shall now call his attention; and that which appears to demand our first consideration is, the geography of the Navigators Islands.

This extensive and populous group is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, and extends four degrees east and west. It was discovered on the third of May, 1678, by the French circumnavigator Bougainville, who gave it the designation it now bears, most probably on account of the superior construction of the canoes of the natives, and their surprising dexterity in the water. The group is called by the inhabitants, Sa-moa, and consists of eight islands :— Manua, Orosenga, Ofu, Tutuila, Upolu, Manono, Aborima, and Savaii. In addition to these there are several small islands off the coast of Tutuila and Upolu.

In the year 1788, this group was visited by the unfortunate La Perouse, whose colleague M. de Langle, and a number of his men were barbarously murdered by the natives. This tragical act conveyed such an impression of their treachery and ferocity as deterred subsequent voyagers from venturing among them. And for many years they appear not to have been visited by a vessel from any part of the civilized world.

The names given by the French navigators are so confused and incorrect, that it is utterly impossible to know the islands which they intended to designate.