170 



VOYAGE TO THE 



Jan. 

 1826. 



narrow pathway, through long grass and loose stones, 

 overshadowed by a wood of bread-fruit and cocoa- 

 nut trees. In this distance we passed a few patches 

 of cultivation, but they were rare, and indicated 

 very little attention to agriculture. The natives 

 increased greatly in numbers as we advanced, and 

 all were officious to pay us attention, and assist us 

 to the village: they were armed, yet their manner 

 showed it was, as with us, only a precautionary 

 measure : nothing in appearance could exceed their 

 amicable behaviour. We had each two or more 

 friends, who officiously passed their arms under ours, 

 helped us over the stones and conducted us along 

 the right pathway to the village ; a species of escort, 

 however, which, by depriving us of the use of our 

 limbs, placed us entirely in their power. We passed 

 several huts open on the south side, and one, which 

 was full of fishing nets, closed up ; near these there 

 were two bodies wrapped in a great many cloths, 

 exposed upon stalls raised about a yard from the 

 ground, and supported upon forked props, as repre- 

 sented. 





