ONE REMAINS ON JJOARD. 2?3 



of natives wliich had left the ship after sunset and 

 landed abreast of the anchorao'e. On seeing- a number 

 of lig'hts along* the beach^ we at first thoug-ht they 

 proceeded from a fishing* party^ but on looking* 

 throug*h a nig-ht-g'lass^ the g'roup was seen to con- 

 sist of above a dozen people^ each carrying* a blazing* 

 torch, and o-oino* throuo'h the movements of a dance. 

 At one time they extended rapidly into line^ at 

 another closed^ dividing* into two parties^ advancing* 

 and retreatino- crossino- and re-crossino-, and mixing* 

 up with each other. This continued for half an hom*^ 

 and having* apparently been g*ot up for our amuse- 

 ment^ a rocket was sent up for their's^ and a blue- 

 lig'ht burned^ but the dancing* had ceased, and the 

 lig'hts disaj^peared. 



In the evenino- when the natives were leavino* for 

 the shore^ one of them volunteered to remain on 

 board on the understandino- that some of us should 

 accompany him to Tassai^ where^ he exj)lained^ there 

 would be plenty of dancing* and eating*^ enumerating* 

 pig's^ dog's^ yams^ and cocoa-nuts^ as the component 

 parts of the feast. He was taken doAvn to the 

 wardroom^ and shortly underwent a complete meta- 

 morphosis^ effected by means of a reg*atta shirt of 

 g'audy pattern^ red neckcloth^ flannel trousers^ a 

 faded drab ^^Tao-lioni" of fashionable cut buttoned 

 up to the throaty and an old black hat stuck on one 

 side of his Avoolly head. Every now and then he 

 renewed his invitation to g'o on shore^ but was 

 satisfied when o-iyen to understand that our visit 



VOL. I. t 



