OCEANIC MIGRATIONS. 153 



different parts of the island, they would have made their appearance 

 before we left. They were so healthy and well-conditioned, that we 

 must suppose them to be well supplied with the articles of food on 

 which they subsist. These are probably nothing more than fish and 

 cocoa-nuts ; at least, we saw no edible fruits but these last, and no 

 fowls or hogs. Three young pigs which we had on board were left 

 here, and the natives readily took charge of them, but did not evince 

 that surprise which might have been expected at the sight of an 

 unknown animal. 



" The name of their island was Oatafu (or perhaps, Atafu) ; that of 

 the island where the high chief was said to reside was Fakaafo. I 

 could not learn that they knew of any country but their own. They 

 repeated after me the names fanua Samoa, fanua Tongatabu, fanua 

 Viti, and asked in what direction they lay, and if we came from them. 

 Their decided belief, however, was that we came from above, in the 

 sky, and were divinities. This they repeated to us frequently, and 

 we could not convince them to the contrary. Indeed it is natural to 

 suppose that their constant singing arose merely from a desire to 

 propitiate our favor, according to their simple mode of worship. 

 When a number of us had collected in the malae, the two oldest men 

 seated themselves on a mat, and taking each two short sticks, began 

 drumming on another larger one which lay on the ground before 

 them, at the same time chanting a song, or perhaps a hymn. Another 

 wrapped a mat about his middle, and went through the motions of a 

 dance, which had a resemblance to those of New Zealand. 



" As we were about to quit the place, a hatchet which had been 

 brought on shore was missing, and was supposed to be stolen. As 

 soon as this was made known, a tremendous excitement ensued. The 

 old chief started up and made a speech, delivered with amazing volu- 

 bility and strength of utterance, while his features worked with 

 fearful agitation. We could guess at the purport, of his argument 

 from what followed, for his people separated in all directions, and 

 presently afterwards the missing article was returned. 



" The natives accompanied us in a body to the landing-place, and 

 saw us safely into the boat. As they stood around, we had an oppor- 

 tunity of observing with attention their physiognomy and proportions. 

 They were a well-formed race, of a yellow-copper complexion, with 

 features varying considerably in stamp, but all of the proper Po- 

 lynesian type, particularly as seen in the Friendly Islands, with 

 whose inhabitants they might readily be confounded. Their tattooing, 



