FERNANDO DO NOPJIONA. 



81 



of these. He would like a bible and some newspapers. He 

 would sooner die than be flogged. His statements must be 

 taken for what they are likely to be worth. 



The convicts receive a small pay, and are obliged to find 

 their own living. The black ones are obliged to work for ten 

 hours daily on Government plantations. Some of these convicts 

 £0 out fishing on small rafts made of three or four logs lashed 

 together, provided with a small stool for a seat. A basket for 

 the fish is placed on the raft in front of the seat, and a small 

 fishing-rod is stuck up behind. 



CONVICT ON FISHING EXPEDITION. 



(From a sketch by Lieutenant H. Swire, R.N.) 



The men steer these rafts with great dexterity through the 

 surf with a paddle, usually standing up to paddle, and sitting 

 down to fish. At a distance, the raft being almost entirely 

 under water, the men look as if walking on the water. These 

 rafts were termed " catamarans " by the naval officers. Sailors 

 are apt to apply this term to any out-of-the-way canoe or boat 

 for which they have no other name. I believe the word is of 

 South American origin. Xo boats of any kind are allowed on 

 Fernando do Norhona, for fear the convicts should use them to 

 escape with. 



The huts of the convicts form a sort of small town round the 

 square. They have most of them a bit of garden enclosed. I 

 saw several women and children. There are plantations of 

 sugar-cane, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, bananas, 

 and melons. The latter are remarkably fine in size and flavour, 

 both water and marsh melons ; we paid about three pence each 

 for them. 



We had to wade in up to our middle, to reach our boats 



G 



