164 GAME OF ALL-FOURS. 



make excellent oarsmen ; they are mncli addicted to 

 the use of spirits; tliey lament much their inability 

 to read and write, stating, in palliation of their igno- 

 rance, that when they were children there were no 

 schools where they could receive an education, but 

 that the rising generation, by the exertions of the 

 missionaries, enjoyed the privilege of attending 

 schools. 



From us these people obtained tobacco, and cap- 

 tain, mate, and crew engaged in a game at all-fours 

 for it. They played good humoredly, but appeared 

 to be wholly wrapt up in the game. I asked the 

 captain how he managed to preserve subordination 

 where he allowed so much familiarity. He was a 

 powerful, brawny figure, and a smile passed over his 

 features at m}- question ; extending his bared arm, 

 corrugated with sinews, he said, " I play this fellow 

 right and left amongst them, whenever they make 

 too much noise." The English part of the vessel's 

 crew professed great contempt for these savages, as 

 they called them ; but a good understanding appeared 

 to exist between the parties. 



On the morning subsequent to mooring our ship, 

 all hands were called at daylight, and we had an 

 opportunity to discern the features and characteristics 

 of the harbor. It proved to be a snug, but not a 

 large bay, encased by mountains, whose caps were 

 white with snow. The sides of these cliffs were 

 covered with noble trees of various descriptions; 

 principal among which is the famed iron-wood, re- 

 markable for its weight and durability. Several 

 species of pine are also to be found. Scarce any 

 beach exists, the shores being covered with huge 



