COCK FIGIITINQ. 103 



CHAPTER V. 



Soon after our sails were stowed, a canoe from the 

 town came alongside. In it were two Malaj^s, who 

 had a cargo of green and ripe cocoa-nuts, bananas, 

 sugar-cane, tamarinds, pine apples, chickens, and 

 cockatoos. They were desirous of bartering these 

 articles, not for money, but sperm whale's teeth, 

 which they term "gee gees," and use for handles to 

 their creeses, after having neatly carved and orna- 

 mented them. They have a perfect passion for these 

 teeth, and having at one time exposed to their view 

 a very handsome one, I was beset and pestered by 

 these people, ashore and aboard, to sell it. Having 

 no desire to dispose of it, I at first only laughed at 

 their offers, but when one plucked me by the sleeve 

 and offered me a dozen chickens for it, and another 

 his whole stock in trade to become its possessor, I 

 wavered and let it go. 



The cocks, of which half a dozen were purchased, 

 displaying considerable game, two were pitted against 

 each other, and, as quickly as one was beaten, another 

 was backed against the victor, until they were tired 

 of fighting, when their heads were cut off, and we 

 supped upon the belligerents. 



The captain went ashore and found that no Ame- 

 rican or European ship had been here for several 

 years. 



