88 NANKAURI 



presiding over the rum bottles, repeatedly filled a small glass, 

 from which each imbibed, turn and turn about. At our feet 

 squatted a number of half-drunken people, gabbling away in a 

 mixture of Nicobarese, Malay, and English; not all so stupid, 

 however, that some could not detect the water in the tipple. 



"Tanamara, who was fairly clear-headed at first, received 

 the finishing touch from the rum, and before we left embraced 

 Abbott with fervent gratitude : ' You good man, I love you ; 

 you make us all nice and drunk. Oh, I feel so nice ! ' 



" The dancing was very monotonous, and before long we 

 were glad to get out to the open air : the hut was ventilated 

 by a small doorway only, and the vitiated atmosphere in 

 which people had been moving for the last twelve hours was 

 by no means pleasant. Children and boys were present, but 

 no young women ; in fact, at all times we only caught sight 

 of the latter as they bolted into the houses on our approach, 

 and none were forthcoming for the camera." 



"■February 9. — Everything is quiet on shore to-day after 

 the dissipation which left off yesterday. Tanamara came on 

 board with a headache ; he was sure it could be cured with 

 rum, but got a heavy dose of Eno instead. We gave him a 

 few ducks he was very anxious to possess. It is to be hoped 

 there is a drake among them — a point that was somewhat 

 doubtful — for then we shall have benefited the community to 

 the extent at least of introducing a new domestic animal to 

 the islands." 



"■February 10. — Gave Tanamara a watch this afternoon, to 

 spur him to further efforts in collecting curiosities. His wife, 

 whom he calls ' my Mary,' * desires to visit the schooner this 

 evening ; but although she is uninvited, and comes by her own 

 wish, she has bargained for two fathoms of red cotton in pay- 

 ment for the honour done us. 



" We met a man on shore who was for a time at the school 

 formerly kept for natives at Port Blair. He lays claim to the 

 name of William Brown, and speaks English very well ; his 

 * I.c.^ " my marry " = my wife. 



