As the ships were returning, on the 31st, from these islands to Annamooka, the Resolution was very near running full upon a low sandy isle, called Pootoo Pootooa, surrounded with breakers.

It fortunately happened, that the men had just been ordered upon deck to put the vessel about, and were most of them at their stations; so that the necessary movements were executed not only with judgment, but also with alertness.

This alone saved the ship and her company from destruction.

'Such hazardous situations,' says the captain, 'are the unavoidable companions of the man who goes upon a voyage of discovery.' During our commander's expedition to Hapaee, he was introduced to Poulaho, the real king of the Friendly Isles; in whose presence it instantly appeared how groundless had been Feenou's pretensions to that character.

Feenou, however, was a chief of great note and influence.