1^4 SKETCHES OF A VoVAGE 



squirts into the face of the masticator, while the long feelers are twist- 

 ing abont his head, forming a complete cajmt Medusa. 



In the latter part of iAIarch, we set sail in our brig to return to the 

 N. American coast, taking with us about thirty Sandwich Islanders, to 

 assist the new American Company in the Salmon fishery. Six of these 

 natives, or Kanakas as they are called, were permitted, by our Captain, 

 to take their wives with them. When they embarked, they were ac-, 

 companied by several of their friends of both sexes, who, I was sur- 

 prised to observe, prolonged their visit even after the pilot had taken to 

 his boat, and returned to the shore. We were then more than a mile 

 outside the coral reef which surrounds this, and most other islands in 

 the South seas, and nearly two from the shore. Still the natives remain- 

 ed to have the last words with their friends, and it was at least fifteen 

 minutes after, when the vessel was fully three miles from the land, that 

 they were observed to touch noses,* and prepare for their departure. 

 This preparation, with the women, consisted snnply in removing their 

 single calico dress, and blinding it with a cord, on the shoulders. They 

 then appeared without clothing, except the maro.) or fillet of calico bound 

 around their loins. The whole party then sprang into the sea, and made 

 for shore. Upon my remarking to the Captain that this exposure seem- 

 ed almost suicidal, for that, if they escaped drowning, there was great 

 risk of their being bitten by the sharks which were known to abound 

 near the edge of tiie reef, he replied that I might be under no apprehen- 

 sion ; that the circumstance which had excited my admiration and filled 

 me with terror, was of almost daily occurrence, and that an instance of 

 an islander perishing in the water, by any mode, was scarcely known. 

 The Sandwich Island boys are said absolutely to j;Z«// with the large 

 blue shark. A number of them repair together to the coral reef which 

 surrounds the Island, each one being provided with a short, hard wood 

 stick. After wading over the reef, they plunge fearlessly into the deep 

 sea beyond, and by their noise and splashing, soon attract to them some 

 large marauder, which is sure to be prowling in the vicinity. The boys 

 .swim around, calmly awaiting his approach, and even allowing him to 

 get within biting distance. As the shark rolls upon his side with the 

 benevolent intention of nipping off the head or one of the limbs of the 

 venturesome youth, he receives a blow on the nose with the stick, 

 which stuns him and causes him to turn. He is immediately attacked, 

 in a similar manner, on the other side : and thus he is turned and cud- 



* This is a mode of salutation peculiar, I believe, to the Sandwich Islanders. 

 They do not kiss, although their lips are necessarily involved in the salute. The 

 nostrils are brought in apposition, and each party gives a vigorous miff at the nasal 

 appendage oi" the other. 



