104 VOYAGE TO THE 



CI J^ P - were of the same material ; and we knew, by the 



i\ 



crackling of them, that they were quite new from 

 ^25. the loom, or beater. The whole arrangement was 

 extremely comfortable, and highly inviting to re- 

 pose, which the freshness of the apartment, rendered 

 cool by a free circulation of air through its sides, 

 enabled us to enjoy without any annoyance from 

 heat or insects. One interruption only disturbed 

 our first sleep ; it was the pleasing melody of the 

 evening hymn, which, after the lights were put out, 

 was chaunted by the whole family in the middle of 

 the room. In the morning also we were awoke by 

 their morning hymn, and family devotion. As we 

 were much tired, and the sun's rays had not yet 

 found their way through the broad opening of the 

 apartment, we composed ourselves to rest again ; 

 and on awaking found that all the natives were gone 

 to their several occupations, — the men to offer what 

 assistance they could to our boats in landing, carry- 

 ing burthens for the seamen, or to gather what fruits 

 were in season. Some of the women had taken our 

 linen to wash ; those whose turn it was to cook for 

 the day were preparing the oven, the pig, and the 

 yams ; and we could hear, by the distant reiterated 

 strokes of the beater,* that others were engaged 

 in the manufacture of cloth. By our bedside had 

 already been placed some ripe fruits ; and our hats 

 were crowned with chaplets of the fresh blossom of 

 the nono, or flower-tree {morinda citrifolia), which 

 the women had gathered in the freshness of the 

 mornino- dew. On looking round the apartment, 

 though it contained several beds, we found no par- 



* This is an instrument used for the manufacture of their cloth. 



