

1 777* THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 373 



which is a mark of respect due only to their 

 sovereigns. We found by far the greatest part 

 of the country cultivated, and planted with various 

 sorts of productions ; and most of these plantations 

 were fenced round. Some spots, where plantations 

 had been formerly, now produced nothing, lying 

 fallow ; and there were places that had never been 

 touched, but lay in a state of nature ; and yet, even 

 these were useful in affording them timber, as they 

 were generally covered with trees. We met with 

 several large uninhabited houses, which we were 

 told belonged to the king. There were many 

 public and well-beaten roads, and abundance of 

 foot-paths leading to every part of the island. The 

 roads being good and the country level, travelling 

 was very easy. It is remarkable, that when we 

 were on the most elevated parts, at least a hundred 

 feet above the level of the sea, we often met with 

 the same coral rock which is found at the shore, 

 projecting above the surface, and perforated and 

 cut into all those inequalities which are usually 

 seen in rocks that lie within the wash of the tide. 

 And yet these very spots, with hardly any soil upon 

 them, were covered with luxuriant vegetation. We 

 were conducted to several little pools, and to some 

 springs of water ; but in general, they were either 

 stinking or brackish, though recommended to us 

 by the natives as excellent. The former were 

 mostly inland, and the latter, near the shore of the 

 bay, and below high-water mark ; so that tolerable 

 water could be taken up from them only when 

 the tide was out. 



When we returned from our walk, which was 

 not till the dusk of the evening, our supper was 

 ready. It consisted of a baked hog, some fish, 

 and yams, all excellently well cooked, after the 

 method of these islands. As there was nothing to 

 amuse us after supper, we followed the custom of 

 the country, and lay down to sleep, our beds being 



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