VANUA.LAVA. 233 



CHAPTER XIII. 



VANUA-LAVA— BANES' ISLANDS. 



(August 21 to 23.) 



Through the Northernmost Islauds of the New Hebrides — Uncertaiu Naviga-^ 

 tion — Port Pattesou — The ' Southern Cross ' and Bishop Patteson — Appear- 

 ance of the Natives — Trip in the Island — Vegetation — Dwellings and Club 

 House — River of Hot Water — Jets of Vapour — Eggs of Megapodius — 

 Customs — Climate. 



On August 18, about four p.m., we stefimed out of Havannah 

 Harbour, laying our course for Banks' Islands, while the 

 ' Dayspring ' took an opposite course on her return with 

 some Missionaries to the Port of Vila. The ' Cura9oa's ' 

 direction enabled us to see on oiu- starboard side Hinchin- 

 brook Island in the distance, and further on still Api 

 Island. She then entered the channel, having on its east 

 side Paum and Ambrym Islauds, and on its west the great 

 Island of Malicolo, which we next morning neared more 

 than was necessary, because the Commodore, having given 

 up the intention of stopping there, wished to give us a sight 

 of it. Passing by Port Sandwich, near its south-eastern 

 extremity, with a fair and rather fresh breeze we reached 

 Espiritu-Santo, the largest and most northern of the New 

 Hebrides, and whose moimtains were wrapped in mist. We 

 had thus passed through the whole length of the New Heb- 



