HOSPITABLE TAHITIANS 225 



that in a few minutes the streets were Uterally 

 full of water. 



Early on the morning of 17th April, 1903, we 

 left Tahiti, and in a few minutes the island was 

 completely hidden in rain clouds. During our 

 visit we were treated with the greatest kindness 

 by the inhabitants, who, with the characteristic 

 hospitality of the Tahitian, gave up the whole of 

 their time in order that we might see the many 

 beauties of their island home ; and our stay, which 

 had been all too short, will ever be recollected as 

 one of the most delightful experiences enjoyed 

 during the voyages of " ValhaUa." 



Shortly after leaving Tahiti on the morning of 

 17th April we passed close to Eimeo, or Morea, as 

 it is now called. We had made arrangements to 

 visit this island, but our plans were upset by 

 unavoidable circumstances, and only a distant 

 view of its beauties was obtained. It rises almost 

 perpendicularly from the sea ; the summit is 

 composed of a series of peaks so sharp and even 

 that they somewhat resemble the teeth of a 

 gigantic comb. Through one of these peaks 

 there is a large boring known as the Giant's Spear 

 Hole, which is discernible from Papeete Harbour, 

 some twenty miles distant. 



