VISIT OF THE TRADERS TO THE ART! ISLANDS. 39 



Islands consists of one large island and a number 

 of smaller ones which surround it. The sea that 

 bathes the shore is shallow and full of coral. And 

 the pearl-oyster is found here, and forms part of 

 the trade of the natives. 



When I speak of trade and traders, you must 

 not think of white people. The traders are a 

 motley group that come from the neighbouring 

 islands, or from China and Malacca. They come 

 in native boats called proas, and bring all kinds 

 of merchandise, such as knives and tobacco, and 

 even fancy goods, such as looking-glasses and 

 crockery. And in return, they take away Birds, of 

 Paradise and sugar-canes, and the few commo- 

 dities afforded by the country. 



I must tell you that the sugar-cane grows here 

 abundantly, and the sailors who come in the boats 

 are very fond of it. They eat it greedily, and are 

 constantly chewing and sucking it, and cutting at 

 it with their knives. They never seem as if they 

 could get enough. 



The place where the traders meet is on the 

 beach, and has a row of sheds, called, by the 



