194 REACH THE BOAT. 



the last of our party^ as I slowly descended the 

 hillock sideways^ watching- every motion of what we 

 mig'ht fairly consider as the enemy^ with spare caps 

 betAveen my teeth^ and a couple of cartridg-es in one 

 hand^ I was in momentary expectation of receiving* 

 a spear or two^ which probably would have been 

 the case^ had I stumbled or turned my back to 

 them for a moment. As we drew back along- the 

 ridg'e and dipped into the first hollow a part}^ of the 

 natives detached themselves from the rest as if to 

 come round upon our flank^ but this fortunately was 

 formed by a steep ascent covered with dense jun- 

 g'le which would have occupied them some time to 

 g'et throug"h. Arriving* at the bank above the boat^ 

 the pig* carriers with their burthen speedily reached 

 the bottom^ all three rolling* down tog'ether. When 

 they were well clear we followed, keeping* a sharp 

 look out behind in case of an}^ advantage being- 

 taken of our position. The boat had g-rounded upon 

 the reef with the falling* tide^ but with some diffi- 

 culty was g*ot afloat^ when we left the place. 



After rounding* the point we opened a larg*e ba}^ 

 on the west side of the island where we saw the 

 mouth of a small stream pointed out by the natives 

 during* our last interview^ but^ on approaching- 

 within 300 yards^ it was found that boats could not 

 g'et any closer in at low water^ the shore being- 

 everywhere fringed by a reef. This is the most 

 beautiful and sheltered portion of the island^ well 

 wooded^ with a sandy beach^ clumps of cocoa-nut 



