1773* ROUND THE WORLD. <2Q3 



which compose the double canoe, are made as strong 

 and light as the nature of the work will admit, and 

 may be immerged in water to the very platform, 

 without being in danger of rilling. Nor is it possible, 

 under any circumstance whatever, for them to sink, 

 so long as they hold together. Thus they are not 

 only made vessels of burden, but fit for distant navi- 

 gation. They are rigged with one mast, which steps 

 upon the platform, and can easily be raised or taken 

 down ; and are sailed with a latteen-sail, or trian- 

 gular one, extended by a long yard, which is a little 

 bent or crooked. The sail is made of mats ; the rope 

 they make use of is laid exactly like ours, and some 

 of it is four or five inch. On the platform is built a 

 little shed or hut, which screens the crew from the 

 sun and weather, and serves for other purposes. 

 They also carry a moveable fire-hearth, which is a 

 square, but shallow, trough of wood, filled with 

 stones. The way into the hold of the canoe is from 

 off the platform, down a sort of uncovered hatchway, 

 in which they stand to bail out the water. I think 

 these vessels are navigated either end foremost, and 

 that, in changing tacks, they have only occasion to 

 shift or jib round the sail ; but of this I was not 

 certain, as I had not then seen any under sail, or 

 with the mast and sail an end, but what were a con- 

 siderable distance from us. 



Their working tools are made of stone, bone, shells, 

 &c. as at the other islands. When we view the work 

 which is performed with these tools, we are struck 

 with admiration at the ingenuity and patience of the 

 workman. Their knowledge of the utility of iron was 

 no more than sufficient to teach them to prefer nails 

 to beads, and such trifles ; some, but very few, 

 would exchange a pig for a large nail, or a hatchet. 

 Old jackets, shirts, cloth, and even rags, were in 

 more esteem than the best edge-tool we could give 

 them ; consequently they got but few axes from us 

 but what were given as presents. But if we include 



