Ebook Ebersole and Hess Toward Healthy Aging 8Th Edition Touchy Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Ebook Ebersole and Hess Toward Healthy Aging 8Th Edition Touchy Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Ebook Ebersole and Hess Toward Healthy Aging 8Th Edition Touchy Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
ANS: D
Limiting daytime napping to 30 minutes or less is a good sleep hygiene practice.
Exercise should be completed at least 4 hours before retiring while bedtime snack is
acceptable if the food is light and so easily digested. Computer-focused activities are
not generally encouraged as a part of a bedtime routine.
2. When an older adult client is diagnosed with restless leg syndrome (RLS), the
nurse is confident that client education on the condition’s contributing factors has
been effective when the client states:
a. “A warm bath at night instead of in the morning is my new routine.”
b. “Eating a banana at breakfast assures me the potassium I need.”
c. “I’ve cut way back on my caffeinated coffee, teas and sodas.”
d. “I elevate my legs on a pillow so as to improve circulation.”
ANS: C
Increased caffeine use can be a contributing factor to RLS. There is no research to
confirm that a warm bath prior to sleep or elevating the legs will minimize/prevent
RLS. A potassium deficient has not been identified as a contributing factor to RLS.
3. The nurse educates the older client that the greatest risk related to poor foot care
results is:
a. bone fracturing falls.
b. increased risk for infections.
c. loss of independent mobility.
d. chronic pain.
ANS: C
The greatest risk involving improper care of one’s feet is the resulting interference
with walking and moving and ultimately the ability to remain independent. The
remaining options can ultimately lead to impaired immobility.
ANS: A
Deviations from normal bowel and bladder toileting can lead to chastisement,
ostracism, and social withdrawal. By addressing incontinency issues prior to social
interactions such negative responses can be minimized. While toileting is appropriate,
it does not directly address the social impact that may result from soiled and/or
odorous clothing. Providing peri-care and clean underclothing is necessary only if
incontinency has occurred. Asking to toilet the client is not necessarily an effective
intervention when the client is consistently incontinent.
5. The nurse is most concerned by observing when assisting with an older client’s
bath:
a. a persistent red lesion with a poorly defined base and an adherent yellow-white
scale
b. a slightly raised irregular patch that is bluish black in color
c. an open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains for 3 weeks or more
d. rough, scaly, sandpaper-like patches that are slightly tender
ANS: B
A slightly raised discolored patch that may be tan, blue, red, black, or white is a
characteristic of melanoma that accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases, but it
causes most skin cancer deaths. A persistent red lesion with a poorly defined base and
an adherent yellow-white scale is a characteristic of squamous cell carcinoma. A sore
that bleeds, oozes, and remains for 3 weeks or more is a characteristic of a basal cell
carcinoma. A tender, rough, scaly, sandpaper-like patch is a characteristic of actinic
keratoses (a pre-cancerous lesion).
ANS: A
Medications such as diuretics and ACE inhibitors used to treat hypertension do
increase the output of urine. The statement regarding renal failure is not incorrect but
such an outcome is not generally a result of the medications prescribed. Limiting fluid
intake is not generally necessary and should not be done unless recommended by a
physician. It is not likely that antihypertensive medications will increase the risk for
urinary infections.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The nurse notes that an older adult client has developed generalized xerosis. The
nurse shows an understanding that this may be a symptom related to a systemic
health problem when: Select all that apply.
a. reviewing the client’s history for a diagnosis of chronic renal failure
b. monitoring the client’s heart rate by taking an apical pulse
c. assessing the client for symptoms of an under active thyroid gland
d. placing the client on daily intake and output recordings
e. performing a finger stick to assess the client’s glucose level
ANS: A, C, D
Dry skin may be just dry skin, but it may also be a symptom of more serious systemic
disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, renal disease) or dehydration. There
is no current research to connect dry skin to impaired cardiac function.
2. The nurse interviewing an older adult for a nursing history recognizes that the
client is experiencing symptomology inconsistent with normal aging of the urinary
tract when the client reports: Select all that apply.
ANS: A, D
Difficulty and pain are not characteristics of urination normally attributed to aging.
In about 10% to 20% of well older adults, aging of the urinary tract is associated with
an increased frequency of involuntary bladder contractions. These changes may lead
to frequency, nocturia, urgency, and vulnerability to infection.
3. The nurse suspects that an older adult client is experiencing symptomology seen in
herpes zoster when the client: Select all that apply.
a. rates the pain as an 8 out of a possible 10
b. develops clusters of fluid-filled vesicles
c. exhibits lesions that are waxy and raised
d. has flesh-colored lesions of varying sizes
e. reports symptoms focused in the thoracic area
ANS: A, B, D
Herpes zoster is a viral illness that produces clusters of papulovesicles that develop
often in the thoracic area. The skin where the eruptions occur is often painful.
Seborrheic keratosis is a waxy, raised lesion, that flesh-colored or pigmented and may
vary in size.
ANS: A, B, C, E
Risk factors for urinary incontinence include tobacco use, caffeine consumption and
increased urine resulting from diabetes and certain medications. Keeping record of
fluid intake will have little or no impact on urine incontinence.
ANS: B, C, D, E
It is important to note that alterations in cognitive status, incontinence, increased
temperature, poor appetite, or unexplained falls may be the only clinical symptoms of
constipation in the cognitively impaired or frail older person. Frequency of defecation
is not necessarily an indicator of constipation since it is such a personal characteristic.
ANS: B, C, D
Rest factors for sleep apnea include being male, smoking habit, and excess weight.
There is no current research to support a connection between a vegetarian diet
(possible low protein) or Chron’s disease to the development of sleep apnea.
The average number that visit the island in the course of the year, is
upwards of fifty. More than twenty were there together, at several different
periods of our stay, some of which remained a few days, some weeks, and a
few one or two months, according to their several necessities. At such times
the seamen, from having been long confined to the narrow precinct of their
vessels, become very insubordinate, and frequently give way to the most
licentious indulgences of their passions, regardless of every obligation of
obedience due to their officers. We witnessed frequent instances of this
kind, and had the satisfaction of being constantly useful to the captains of
ships, and the whaling interest, by restraining the violent, and coercing
them to a proper sense of duty.
A most unpleasant occurrence took place about six weeks after our
arrival at Onavoora, arising from this disposition of the seamen, and other
causes, which was afterwards greatly misrepresented in this country. Some
of the seamen of the Dolphin, who were on liberty, got into a frolic, and,
associating themselves with many others belonging to the whale ships,
determined to go to the houses of the high chiefs and missionaries, and
demand the repeal of a restriction that deprived them of the society of
females. They produced a riot that gave rise to a considerable degree of
excitement for a few minutes; but Captain Percival, with some of the
officers of the Dolphin, and captains of whale-ships, promptly suppressed
it, and prevented any serious outrage. It was afterwards unjustly and most
ungenerously ascribed to the officers of the Dolphin.
On the 3d of April, the young king and all the high chiefs, were invited
on board to spend the day with us. In the morning, we dressed the schooner
in all the flags we could muster, and made the best preparation our limited
accommodation would admit of to receive our distinguished guests. No
indication of their appearance was seen for some time after every thing was
in readiness, and our boats on shore in waiting, and we were kept in
suspense until we had almost despaired of seeing them. All at once the
whole town was in an uproar, and the people were running and hallooing in
every direction. The young king in advance, walked arm in arm with one of
the officers of the Dolphin. Next came Boque and his spouse, with other
high dignitaries, and in the rear a multitude of people of both sexes and all
ages. When they had embarked, the eyes of the people were turned upon
another object, not less interesting to them than the king. Crimacu, or Billy
Pitt, too ill to walk, was gravely making his way to the beach in a hand cart,
where he got into a boat and came on board soon after the king. We
received them with manned yards, and a salute of twenty-one guns. The
king, who was a boy of ten or twelve years old, was dressed in a military
uniform that was sent to him from the king of England, and upon his
shoulders he wore a pair of golden epaulets, with crowns on them. He
appeared to be sensible of his rank, and, upon two or three occasions,
addressed his attendants in a way that indicated a wish to make a display of
his authority. The chiefs conducted themselves towards him with a
becoming respect, but without bestowing upon him any attention that might
interfere with their own enjoyment or convenience. Instead of partaking of
what we had provided for our guests, they, with one or two exceptions,
unceremoniously uncovered their poye pots, which had been brought with
them by an attendant, and ate heartily of their favourite food, using their
fingers as is the native custom. Boque again displayed his major general's
uniform, and was amongst the most polished of our guests. After passing a
number of hours on board, they returned to the shore delighted with their
visit. The same compliment was paid them as at their reception. It was a
day of great enjoyment with the common people. They received their chiefs
on landing with loud huzzas, and followed them in crowds to their
respective habitations.
On the 11th of May, after long anticipating our much wished for
departure, we got underway, and saluting the fort as we passed it with
twenty-one guns, stood out to sea and shaped our course for Chili. Nothing
material transpired from the time of our sailing until the 7th of June, when
standing along with a fresh trade, and the night dark and squally, at 10 P.M.,
the lookout-ahead reported land close aboard. We tacked and lay to for the
night, to survey our newly discovered island on the following morning. At
daylight, it bore S.S.W., about six miles from us, and appeared in three
small hummocs, covered thickly with trees and bushes, every where
bounded by a coral reef and heavy surf. We hesitated for some time whether
we should land, apprehending that it would be attended with too much risk,
merely for the gratification of curiosity; but this feeling operated so
powerfully upon us, that there was no resisting the desire to land where no
one had ever been before. Accordingly, two boats were sent off, and
watching a favourable opportunity passed through the surf in safety, and
landed on the coral bank where they were left high and dry by the receding
wave. It was on the lee side of the island, and a coral reef stretched off
about fifty or a hundred yards from the shore, full of holes, and almost dry
at low water. In the holes we sought for fish, as at Caroline Island, but
found very few. On traversing the island, we could find no fruit or vegetable
of any description except bup. In most places it was covered with trees and
bushes of a thick growth, almost impenetrable. In the bushes we found a
great many tropical birds setting, so tame that we could take them off of
their nests with our hands, and in getting upon the weather side of the island
where there was a clear space, we found a species of small gull, so
numerous, that when they rose from the ground at our approach, they
appeared to form almost a compact mass. The sand was literally covered
with their eggs, which, upon examination, proved to be unfit for use, with
few exceptions. The birds flew and hovered so near to us that we caught
several of them with our hands. After amusing ourselves a little while with
the novel spectacle of such numbers of birds so very tame, we collected all
the old eggs within a small space, and in less than twenty minutes after it
had been thus cleared, it was again covered with fresh eggs by the birds that
were constantly lighting. We might, in a few hours, have loaded our boats
with them. When we returned to our boats to go on board, the tide had risen,
and with it the surf had increased to an alarming degree. At first, we held a
consultation whether we should attempt to pass through it or remain until it
should again subside with the falling of the tide; but the day was far
advanced, and the appearance of the weather such, as in all probability
would render our situation extremely painful, there being every prospect of
an increase of wind. We therefore determined to put our fortune to the test,
and were not a little discouraged when on one of the boats attempting the
surf was thrown back by the second roller that she encountered with the
utmost violence, upsetting her, and scattering the people in different
directions, some of them escaping with their lives with the greatest
difficulty. Notwithstanding the ill success of our first attempt, we
determined on a second, rather than risk the consequences of longer delay.
Embracing a favourable opportunity where the surf appeared least violent,
we put off, and passed through it in safety without further accident.
The island was little more than a mile long, and from a hundred yards to
a quarter of a mile wide. It was every where very low. By a meridian
observation, we placed the north-west end of it in latitude south 21 degrees
48 minutes, and longitude by chronometer 154 degrees 54 minutes west. In
compliment to the commander of our squadron in the Pacific Ocean, we
called it Hull's Island. It may be comprehended within the group of Society
Islands.
In the afternoon, June the 4th, we made sail; and on the following day at
half-past 6 o'clock, A.M. discovered the island of Ramitaria, on the lee bow,
about eight leagues from us. This island was not laid down in any of our
charts, having been discovered only three or four years before; but we had
seen a gentlemen who had stopped there, and it was included in our list of
islands. On approaching it we were pleased to find that it differed from
many of the islands we had visited, being of a moderate elevation. It is
about three miles long and one or two wide. We ran nearly round it before
we found a place to land, the surf breaking high every where, and the shores
bounded by large rocks of coral. At last, we came to the principal
settlement, which was situated close to the shore, where a large white-
washed house indicated the former visits and influences of the missionaries.
The people, to the number of one or two hundred, were assembled on the
beach inviting us to land. Here, also, was a considerable surf and some
coral rocks, which made the landing not altogether free from difficulty.
When the boat came near the shore and while she was yet shooting rapidly
through the surf, the natives, who had already advanced to meet us, laid
hold as many as could get round her, and with loud shouting, carried us
high upon the beach. At this somewhat unexpected reception, the boat's
crew instinctively seized their pistols, thinking at first, that the natives were
hostile in their disposition towards us. It was but a momentery panic which
passed away with the kind salutations we immediately afterwards received.
When I enquired for the chief, a young man was pointed out to me in the
crowd, distinguished from the rest by an old hat on his head, that he had
obtained from some former visiter. He seemed not to be treated with the
least respect by the people, who jostled him in the crowd with the most
perfect carelessness. Scarcely had I addressed him, when a stout native
came up with an air of some importance, and saluting me, told me in the
language of the Society Islands, that he was the missionary. Upon his
approach, the chief immediately shrunk back into the crowd. He called to
him a Malay, who was not far off, and bade him ask what we wanted. The
Malay, whose name was Manoo, spoke English very well, which was a
source of great satisfaction to us, as we could thereby communicate our
wants freely, and it introduced us at once to each others' acquaintance. I
explained to Manoo that we were in want of water and such refreshments as
the island might afford. He immediately proceeded in company with the
missionary to show me where water was to be obtained. We passed through
a forest of very large trees over a plain that extended more than half a mile,
when we came to a marsh of reeds and rank grass, where there was from
one to two feet of water, covering an area of two or three acres. This would
not answer our purpose as the water was not very good, and its distance
from the place of embarkation rendered it too laborious an undertaking to
water the vessel from it. When I had remarked this to Manoo and the
missionary, they replied that there was better water, but it was still more
distant. I suffered them to conduct me to it, and we took a footpath over
rising ground, and through another delightful forest of bread-fruit and other
wide-spreading trees, passing many fine tarrow patches, and at the distance
of half a mile from the marsh, we came to a spring of excellent water.
Manoo and the missionary both expressed a great deal of disappointment
when I spoke in terms of disapprobation of this also as a watering-place—it
being altogether too far from the shore. On our return from the spring, we
took a different footpath from that by which we came, and ascended to a
more elevated part of the island to see the work of the missionary, as it was
called by Manoo. This consisted of two or three enclosures by means of
stakes, in the midst of the forest, where the trees had been cut down for
several acres, which was cleared and planted with sweet potatoes and
tobacco. The enclosures were made, and all the labour of clearing the forest
was done, as Manoo remarked, by such of the wicked and disobedient, as
had resisted the authority and ordinances of the white missionary during his
residence on the island some months previous. Since then, the white
missionary had returned to Otaheite, and sent this native missionary, who
belonged to that island, to represent him in his absence. Leaving the
enclosures of tobacco and sweet potatoes, we came into a thicket where the
trees were overrun with the vines of the yam, growing wild and covered
with beautiful blue flowers that gave a picturesque appearance to the forest,
and filled it with their fragrance. We passed five or six stone columns that
had been sixty or seventy feet high, and twenty or thirty in circumference.
They were in a dilapidated state, having in part been thrown down by order
of the missionaries. Manoo told me that they were monuments erected in
honour of the Indian god. Several of these ruins were standing by the side
of an old burial-place in the edge of the woods near the shore. Each of the
graves were neatly enclosed with a wall of stone. When we returned to the
village, I was taken to a large frame building called the missionary house,
where the missionary had prepared a roasted pig and some tarrow, for our
dinner. He designed to entertain me after the manner of the whites, and with
this view, had placed our repast on a large coarse table that stood in the
middle of the room with benches round it. When we were seated, he
unlocked a chest and took from it a plate for each of us, and a knife and
fork, all of which were extremely dirty, and the knives and forks quite
covered with rust. This, however, he did not seem to remark, although he
evidently wished me to think that he knew how to be polite, after the
fashion of my country people. He acquitted himself pretty well, to his own
satisfaction, until he attempted to use the knife and fork—but that was
altogether too much for him. After making several trials in vain to cut his
meat, he asked me to assist him; and finally, before he had half finished his
dinner, laid down his clumsy instruments and used his fingers. The chief,
and as many of the natives as could get into the room came round us, but
none of them were invited to partake with the missionary and myself,
except Manoo, whilst the hungry crowd stood looking wistfully at us.
Soon after we had finished our dinner, the captain and several of the
officers landed, and we exchanged several articles with the natives for their
pigs, yams, &c. The following day was their Sabbath and our Saturday, and
they insisted that we should remain until Monday, before any exchange of
commodities took place. When, however, we declared our determination to
depart that evening, they began collecting whatever might be acceptable to
us. Hogs of various sizes, were brought to the beach in great numbers.
Needles, jack-knives, and old clothes, were our articles of traffic, than
which we could have offered them nothing more valuable. By sundown, we
had collected from thirty to forty hogs, and a good supply of yams. In a few
hours more, we might have obtained twice as many upon the same terms.
Towards the close of the day, when the missionary felt assured that it
was our determination to depart, he asked if I was a doctor, or had any skill
in medicine; and, although I replied in the negative, insisted upon my going
to his house to see, and prescribe for his wife, who, he told me, was
extremely ill. Upon entering his hut, we found her laying on a mat on the
floor; and notwithstanding the weather was oppressively warm, she was
covered over with a great many pieces of the tappa cloth, head and all, and
perspiring most profusely. The missionary, with great gravity, but most
unceremoniously, removed all the covering, and pointed out to me her
infirmity, which was nothing more than a common bile, with which she
seemed to be suffering considerable pain. I declined prescribing, although
repeatedly requested to do so; and at sun-down, we embarked and made
sail. Had it been convenient for us to remain two days longer at Ramitarias,
we could have obtained an abundant supply of whatever the island
produced, for a very trifling consideration; but although there was
anchorage, it was unsheltered, and too near the shore for us to ride in safety.
At six, P.M. on the 10th of June, we took our departure from Ramitarias;
and at day-light, on the 13th, made the Island of Toubouai, bearing to the
northward and eastward, about eight leagues from us. In getting in with the
S.W. part of the island, we found an extensive reef, upon which the surf was
breaking with great violence. We hauled round to the east side, passing two
small uninhabited islands, but there was not the slightest appearance of a
landing-place, the surf breaking heavily as far as we could see. At four,
P.M. we anchored on the north side, in seven fathoms water, and sent boats
in search of the harbour, along the west shore. In the evening, they returned,
having found it, and on the following morning, we got underway, and beat
up for it. When we had advanced near the opening, through the coral reefs
that extend from the shore several miles, a Mr. Strong, an American, came
on board, and piloted us in through a difficult passage. The channel was
narrow, and very crooked; but we had not less than three and a half fathoms
water. Our anchorage was within a coral reef, about a mile from the shore,
in four and a half fathoms. On the day previous to entering the harbour, we
discovered that the head of our mainmast was decayed, and badly sprung.
In this situation, we congratulated ourselves in having found a secure
harbour, where the water was tolerably smooth, which was very essential in
fixing the mast securely.
At the lower village, as it was called by us, where the king lived, was a
party of our countrymen, who had been there for a number of months
building a vessel. They had completed the frame and commenced planking,
when, unfortunately, a quarrel arose between them and the people of the
missionary village, which terminated in open hostility, and the loss of
several lives. One of the white men only, was killed. Scarcely had they
made peace with the natives, when they quarrelled among themselves, and
nearly half of their number (four or five) discontinued their work, and
waited only for an opportunity to leave the island. This mutinous
disposition of a few, paralized the efforts of the whole party, and it was
probable from appearances, that the labour they had bestowed with so much
effect, would be entirely lost to themselves and their employer, Captain
Dana of Massachusetts, whom we had seen at Oahoo.
The king and myself, became high carnies, (or great friends) the day
after our arrival; and from that time until our departure, he did everything in
his power to merit my regard. My mess was constantly supplied with bread-
fruit, cocoa-nuts, tarrow, and bananas; and whenever I was on shore, he
waited upon me everywhere with the most friendly attention. Our friendship
commenced in the following manner, simple enough, it is true, but I believe
it was not the less sincere on that account. Seeing me with a jack-knife in
my hand, he expressed a wish to look at it, when I told him that he might
have it. He received it, and after observing me for a moment, put his hand
upon my arm and remarked, now you and I will be high carnies. I sincerely
reciprocated his kindness, so strongly recommended by the disinterested
simplicity with which it was proffered. Two or three days after our arrival, I
landed with a view of traversing the island. I found king Dick, as I used to
call him, upon a bank of coral that stretched out from his house, with a long
wooden spear in his hand, looking about in the holes for fish. He begged me
to wait until he had taken one for his dinner, and he would accompany me.
Accordingly, having succeeded in a few minutes afterwards, we set off
together.
The island was two or three miles wide, and we had not proceeded far,
when we came to an extensive marsh that runs through the middle of it.
King Dick stopped, and insisted upon carrying me over on his back. Feeling
that it was too menial an office to be performed by a king, although an
untutored native, I remonstrated with him, and positively refused to be
carried; but after resisting his importunity for some time, he took my
musket in his hand, and I mounted on his shoulders. The marsh was several
hundred yards wide, and king Dick found his burthen very heavy before he
landed me on the opposite side. We there entered upon a romantic and
extensive plain, covered with cocoa-nut, and bread-fruit trees, plantain
walks, papayas, &c.; interspersed through which, were numerous huts that
appeared to have been long deserted. We traversed this plain for miles, with
little variation; the same pleasing prospect everywhere presenting itself,
when suddenly king Dick stopped, and made the whole forest ring with the
shrill notes of his voice. After repeating it for several times, he was
answered at a distance, and soon afterwards, we saw a native making his
approaches towards us. King Dick said something to him, and he ascended
a cocoa-nut tree, after the manner of the people of the Marquesas, and threw
down a sufficient quantity of nuts to quench our thirst. He afterwards
conducted us to a house where there were two women and several children.
They were delighted to see us, and hospitably proffered whatever they had
of refreshment. They gave us a preparation of dried bread-fruit, of which
king Dick ate very heartily, but to me it was scarcely palatable. Near the
house there were several citron and lemon trees, the only ones that I saw on
the island.
In our route back, we met with large quantities of sugar cane in a wild
state. We passed the burial-place of the village, where, beside two or three
newly made graves, were rudely carved images placed there in conformity
to a native custom, that had not yet been abolished by the influence of the
missionaries. When we arrived at king Dick's house, we found dinner
waiting for us. It consisted of the fish he had taken in the morning before
our departure, roasted fowls, bread-fruit, tarrow, &c. The whole was
wrapped up in plantain leaves, and placed on a mat upon the floor, around
which, we all seated ourselves, there being a number of visiters present.
During our repast, king Dick went frequently to a large chest, where he kept
a bottle of rum I had given him, and, after proffering me the bottle, he
would help himself, and lock it up in the chest again, without taking the
least notice of the rest of his visiters. No miser ever guarded his treasure
more penuriously than the king did his bottle of rum; not only on this, but
all other occasions. His house was large, and a lounging place for all the
idle people of his village; and, although there were always a number present
when I made my visits, and he never failed to offer me a portion of his
favourite beverage, the wistful lookers-on received not the slightest notice. I
once ventured to propose to him to give some to his friends, but he said no,
it was too good for them. When, after a week's stay at Toubouai, our
departure was spoken of, king Dick expressed the liveliest regret, and
proposed going with us. We told him that he would never be able to get
back again; to which he replied, that he should not care about returning. The
day before we left, he sent me, on board, an abundant sea-stock, of fruits
and vegetables, and a good-sized hog. As a parting gift, I dressed him up in
an old uniform of mine, that seemed to give him infinite pleasure. To his
presents, his wife added several pieces of the tappa cloth, some of which,
were as fine specimens of the native manufacture, as I ever met with
anywhere.
Our stock of bread was nearly exhausted, and what remained, was in a
damaged state. Having failed in all our attempts to obtain a supply of yams,
that would enable us to reach the coast of South America, an examination
was held upon the bread, to the end, that we might adopt such expedients as
should be deemed most proper. Valparaiso, was our most direct port; there
was but one inhabited island (Oparro,) in our way, and that at some distance
from a straight course. To avoid, however, so disagreeable a circumstance
as being without bread, we determined to touch at Oparro, and get whatever
we could for a substitute. Accordingly, we put to sea on the 22d of June,
and on the 25th, made Oparro, a little before day-light, five leagues from us.
When we came near, its appearance was rude and inhospitable in the
extreme, being a mass of rugged mountains, about a thousand feet high, and
eight or ten miles in circumference. On the north-west side, there were no
signs of inhabitants. The mountains rose almost perpendicularly from the
Ocean, and we sounded frequently, close to the shore, without getting
bottom. In rounding the island, to the northward and eastward, we opened a
valley, where there was a number of huts, and some patches of tarrow. A
boat was sent in shore, and two of the natives came on board, who informed
us that there was a harbour to the eastward. We continued on, and after
landing at one or two other small valleys, where there were huts and tarrow
patches, opened a beautiful deep bay, that had an appearance of great
fertility. Soon afterwards, an Englishman came on board, and offered to
pilot us in. He had not advanced far with the vessel, before she grounded on
a bank of coral, but fell off immediately, on putting the helm down and
throwing all aback. We were everywhere surrounded by shoals of coral, and
fearful of accidents, came to outside of the harbour, where we had ten
fathoms of water on one side, and five on the other. The boats were sent off
immediately, in search of tarrow. It was planted everywhere, in large
patches, where there was a small valley, through which a stream of water
found its way from the mountains to the sea, and at a distance, the hills
were green with another species we had not before seen, called mountain
tarrow. The latter is superior to the low land tarrow, and will keep longer at
sea.
When we landed in the bay, which was several miles deep, we found
two different missionary establishments, occupied by natives of Otaheite.
No one else, that we saw, seemed to have any authority. They permitted us
to dig as much tarrow as we pleased, without asking any return for it, and
by night, we had as much on board as we knew what to do with. One of the
missionary establishments was situated at the extreme depth of the bay. On
landing there, I was met by the missionaries themselves, and conducted to
their house, where their wives, who were also from Otaheite, received me,
dressed in their own island costume, with large straw bonnets on their
heads. After remaining with them for a few minutes, I repaired to the place
where the boats' crew were employed in collecting tarrow. A group of
natives, male and female, had assembled round, none of whom, could be
prevailed upon by the rewards we offered them, to assist our people in their
occupation. They had a sickly look, almost without an exception. Their
dress differed altogether from any we had before seen. It consisted of a
heavy mat of grass, weighing from ten to fifteen pounds, which was thrown
over their shoulders, and another light mat of the same material, for the
loins. Their deportment was modest and retiring, and they evinced a
disposition to have but little intercourse with us. A few of their houses were
scattered about upon the hills. They were extremely miserable, and might,
without disparagement, be compared to dog kennels. They were long, and
very narrow, and about three or four feet high, so that when one entered
them, it was necessary to get down upon the hands and knees. The Otaheite
missionaries were distinguished from the natives, by wearing the tappa
cloth, of their own island, and an old cloth jacket they had obtained from
white visiters. I added something to their stock of clothes, before I took
leave of them, for which, they gave me many thanks. When I returned on
board, I found the other two missionaries there, and several of the natives,
who had accompanied the captain. They spent the night with us, and the
next morning, showed us where to obtain a quantity of the mountain tarrow.
It is large, and very much resembles the West India yam. For a vessel long
at sea, and requiring vegetables, there is none more valuable.
The Englishman who came on board to act as our pilot, was residing at
the island, in charge of a party which had been left there by the English
Consul at the Sandwich Islands, to collect beach la mer, a valuable article of
commerce, at Canton. The collecting of sandal-wood, was also to be an
object of their attention; but they told us, that both were scarce, and difficult
to obtain—a statement, we considered, of doubtful veracity.
At 2, P.M., on the 27th of June, we got underway, and made sail for
Valparaiso, which is distant from Oparro, about three thousand five hundred
miles. This island, which is called by the discoverer, Oparro, is called by the
natives, Lapa. It is situated in latitude 27 degrees 34 minutes south, west
longitude 144 degrees. At 5, P.M., we saw the islands, called by Quiros, Los
Corones, and hauled up, until eight, to clear them.
For the first three days after we sailed, it blew a severe gale from the
westward, after which, it became more moderate, but nearly all our passage
to Valparaiso, was wet and boisterous. It was less disagreeable, however,
than we anticipated, as the wind was almost constantly fair. We had the
more reason to apprehend a severe trial of our fortitude, as it was in the
dead of winter that we were advancing into a high latitude, after having
been a long time within the tropics, and besides that, our sails and rigging
were very much worn, some of our articles of provisions were quite
exhausted, and others, of the first necessity, reduced to a small quantity. If,
therefore, we had encountered tedious gales ahead, we must have suffered
greatly in our shattered and ill-fitted condition.
Fish, that very much resemble our codfish, and a variety of other kinds
are taken in the greatest abundance around Juan Fernandez and Mas a
Fuera. It is believed that if a fishery were established there by some of our
enterprising countrymen, it would be found a source of great emolument.
The privileges that might be considered necessary for the prosperity of a
company formed with this object, could easily be obtained from the
government of Chili, and there is no apparent cause why the most
successful results should not be realized. It seems only necessary to call the
attention of our capitalists to this subject, to have all its advantages secured
to our country. It has a fine harbour for the prevailing winds of summer, but
in the winter season, when the winds set in from the northward, it is
exposed. It lies a little more than three hundred miles from the coast of
Chili, and in the summer months I have known open boats to pass between
it and Valparaiso.
On the 23d of July, we anchored in the harbour of Valparaiso, a little
before day-light, to the gratification of our friends, who were becoming
very much alarmed for our safety, no information of us having been
received during the whole period of our absence. Thus, in a vessel of 180
tons burthen, poorly fitted, and having on board only about four months'
provisions, when we sailed from the coast of Peru, we performed a cruise of
upwards of eleven months in an unfrequented Ocean, rendering to our
countrymen, and many of the people whom we visited, important benefits,
besides realizing the most successful results in the primary object of our
cruise. Its beneficial effects will long be felt by our countrymen, who are
engaged in the whale-fishery; and, although we suffered many hardships,
privations, and dangers, we were happy in being the instruments, in the
hands of Providence and our government, of proving that crime cannot go
unpunished in the remotest part of the earth, and that no situation is so
perilous as to justify despair.
[1] A tree that resembles the locust. It bears a pod, like that of a bean, which
is given by the Peruvians to their horses.