NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE 



265 



the natives have made a mildly intoxicating beverage from the 

 fresh sap of the coconut-tree. In order to discourage this prac- 

 tice and to preserve the trees for nut-bearing, the Government 

 allows each family to set aside one tree for making this drink. 

 The selected tree is issued a license, a simple band of metal; and 

 collecting sap from any other constitutes a punishable offense. 

 On one of our last evenings in port, the members of our party 

 were taken to Orote Point for an old-fashioned picnic, by the 



Chart Showing Bottom-profile in the Vicinity of "Fleming Deep" 



hospital staff. Swimming, light from a bonfire, real American 

 picnic-fare, and good fellowship made it a glorious event. The 

 chief excitement during the outing was a hermit-crab sweepstakes, 

 in which each person placed his favorite crab in the center of a 

 circle drawn in the sand and watched the very uncertain progress 

 of his steed to the periphery. Of course there was much friendly 

 wrangling over the non-starters. But a little singing of old- 

 fashioned songs brought peace to the family, and we returned under 



