208 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



Banana trees, cocoanut palms, and bushes were 

 growing in great profusion, and gave a green, 

 fertile appearance. Here and there, where the 

 land had been tilled, the red-coloured earth made 

 a vivid contrast with the green foliage, while the 

 deep blue of the sea and sky put the finishing 

 touch to a charming picture. 



Immediately the anchor was dropped in "Bounty 

 Bay " two boats came off to the ship, and as they 

 drew alongside their occupants scrambled on deck. 

 Nearly all of the men were well-built, several of 

 them being six feet in height. They were bare- 

 footed, and clothed in blue cotton coats and 

 trousers. Their boats were laden with fruit — 

 bananas, limes, and water-melons — which was soon 

 offered for barter or sale. Their first request was 

 one for cartridges in order to shoot their fowls 

 which ran wild over the island. Later on, while 

 pushing our way through the thick bushes on 

 Pitcairn, we frequently disturbed parties of these 

 fowls, birds of all colours, which took to flight and 

 sailed away at a great rate. Some were pur- 

 chased by the steward for our consumption, but, 

 as might have been expected, they were ex- 

 ceedingly tough and leathery. 



As soon as possible we went ashore in one of 

 the boats. The surf is always breaking, even on 

 the best landing place, and these islanders gave us 

 a fine exhibition of boat management. We rowed 

 straight at the breaking surf until within a few 



