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CHAPTEE XX. 



" HUMPBACKING " AT VAU VAU, 



Another three weeks' cruising brought us to the end 

 of the season on the hne, which had certainly not 

 answered all our expectations, although we had per- 

 ceptibly increased the old barky's draught during our 

 stay. Whether from love of change or belief in the 

 possibilities of a good haul, I can hardly say, but 

 Captain Count decided to make the best of his way 

 south, to the middle group of the "Friendly" Archi- 

 pelago, known as Vau Vau, the other portions being 

 called Hapai and Tongataboo respectively, for a season's 

 " humpbacking." From all I could gather, we were 

 likely to have a good time there, so I looked forward to 

 the visit with a great deal of pleasurable anticipation. 



We were bound to make a call at Vau Vau, in any 

 case, to discharge our Kanakas shipped at Honolulu, 

 although I fervently hoped to be able to keep my brave 

 harpooner Samuela. So when I heard of our destination, 

 I sounded him cautiously as to his wishes in the matter, 

 finding that, while he was both pleased with and proud 

 of his position on board, he was longing greatly for 

 his own orange grove and the embraces of a certain 

 tender " fafine " that he averred was there awaiting 

 him. With such excellent reasons for his leaving us, I 



