SECOND VOYAGE 147 



hogs and fowls. The former are of the same sort as at the 

 other isles in this sea ; but the latter are far superior, being 

 as large as any we have in Europe, and their flesh equally 

 good, if not better. The land birds are numerous. The 

 produce of the sea they knew but little of ; it is reasonable 

 to suppose that the same sorts of fish are found here as at 

 the other isles. Their fishing instruments are the same. 



Nothing can be more demonstrative evidence of their 

 ingenuity, than the construction and make of their canoes, 

 which, in point of neatness and workmanship, exceed every- 

 thing of the kind they saw in this sea. They are built of 

 several pieces sewed together with bandage, in so neat a 

 manner, that on the outside it is difficult to see the joints. 

 All the fastenings are on the inside, and pass through kants 

 or ridges, which are wrought on the edges and ends of 

 the several boards, which compose the vessel, for that pur- 

 pose. At each end is a kind of deck, one-third part of the 

 whole length, and open in the middle. These single canoes 

 have all out-riggers, and are sometimes navigated with sails, 

 but more generally with paddles. The two vessels which 

 compose the double canoe are each about sixty or seventy 

 feet long, and four or five broad in the middle ; and each 

 end terminates nearly in a point ; so that the body or hull 

 differs a little in construction from the single canoe ; but 

 is put together exactly in the same manner. 



All the parts which compose the double canoe are made 

 as strong and light as the nature of the work will admit, and 

 may be immerged in water to the very platform, without 

 being in danger of filling. Nor is it possible, under any 

 circumstances whatever, for them to sink, so long as they 

 hold together. Thus they are not only made vessels of 

 burthen, but fit for distant navigation. They are rigged 

 with one mast, and are sailed with a latteen-sail, or 

 triangular one, extended by a long yard, which is a little 

 bent or crooked. The sail is made of mats ; the rope they 

 made use of is laid exactly like those of Europe, and some 

 of it is four or five inch. On the platform is built a little 

 shed or hut, which screens the crew from the sun and 

 weather, and serves for other purposes. 



Their working tools are made of stone, bones, and shells, 

 as at the other islands. When they viewed the work which 

 is performed with these tools, they were struck with admira- 

 tion at the ingenuity and patience of the workman. Their 

 knowledge of the utility of iron was no more than sufficient 

 to teach them to prefer nails to beads, and such trifles ; 

 some, but a very few, would exchange a pig for a large 

 nail or a hatchet. Old jackets, shirts, cloth, and even 

 rags, were in more esteem than the best edge-tool they 



