266 AGAIN VISIT THE ISLAND. 



tion. But all these natives appeared to feel as much 

 confidence afloat as on shore ; and we had frequent 

 opportunities of observing" their fearlessness of the 

 water^ and dexterity in swimming" and diving" when 

 along-side the ship. 



Aug, 20tJi. — It being- considered probable that 

 the natives mig'ht be induced to part with some of 

 their pigs^ a party was sent on shore^ to endeavour 

 to procm^e some by barter. On landings which was 

 effected with much less difficulty than j^esterday 

 (for it was now hig*h water^ enabling* the boats to 

 g'o over the reef although heavy rollers were coming- 

 in)^ we found that most of the men were absent^ and 

 the few remaining*^ althoug-h made to understand 

 what we wanted^ did not appear to like our paying- 

 a visit to then' village^ as if suspicious of our inten- 

 tions towards the women^ a circumstance which 

 Em^opeans must always be on their guard ag-ainst 

 in deahng with savage tribes. Our stay therefore 

 was very short — not exceeding* five minutes^ — and 

 on the way back^ besides picking- up a few scraps 

 for my vocabulary from a number of women and 

 children in company^ I procured a very fine white 

 Helix from the branch of a bread-fi^uit tree^ and had 

 a brief opportunity of examining the rock of the 

 island. This is of volcanic origin^ and consists of 

 a stratified earthy tufa and volcanic conglomerate^ 

 hollowed out below by the sea^ succeeded by a 

 harder vesicular rock above which one of the forms 

 of lava has been poured out. 



