" Scare-devdl," or device for exorcising evil spirits. 



CHAPTER V 



KAR NICOBAR 



To the Nicobars — A Tide-Race — A Change of Scene— Sawi Bay — Geological 

 Formation — V. Solomon — Mus Village — Living-Houses — Kitchens — Fruit- 

 Trees — The Natives — Headman Offandi — " Town-Halls " — Death-House — 

 Maternity Houses — Hospitals — Floods — "Babies' Houses" — Birds — Oil 

 Press — Canoes — Offandi — "Friend of England" — "Frank Thompson" — 

 "Little John" — Thirst for Information — Natives' Nick-names — Mission 

 School Boys' Work — A Truant — The Advantage of Canoes — A Spill — 

 Our Method of Landing — Collecting Native Birds — A new Bat — 

 Coconuts — V. Solomon — The Nicobarese and Christianity — Water — 

 Area of Kar Nicobar — Geology — Flora — Supplies. 



"■ 2\st January 190L — The American yacht Terrapin anchored 

 at Sawi Bay about 7 1M\L I sent men to inquire about 

 the vessel, and the gentlemen on board informed me that 

 they had come via Port Blair, and would land early next 

 morning. 



" 22nd January 1901. — Early this morning Dr Abbott and 

 Mr Kloss landed and came to ' Temple Villa,' and gave me 

 to understand the object of their visit. They remained here 

 till the 27th inst, and I gave them every possible help. They 

 left the island well pleased with their visit. Many Nicobarese 

 came from other villages with articles in the hope of purchasing 

 rum, but they were sadly disappointed : as I had begged the 

 gentlemen not to encourage the people with spirits, and they 

 complied with my request." — Frotn the diary of Catechist V. 

 Solomon. 



