244 TEE CRUISE OF TEE " CACEALOT." 



free from dangers in the shape of partly hidden reefs. 

 Long and intricate were the passages we threaded, until 

 we finally came to anchor in a lovely little bay perfectly 

 sheltered from all winds. We moored, within a mile of 

 a dazzling white beach, in twelve fathoms. A few native 

 houses embowered in orange and cocoa-nut trees showed 

 here and there, while the two horns of the bay were 

 eteep-to, and covered with verdure almost down to the 

 water's edge. The anchor was hardly down before a perfect 

 fleet of canoes flocked around us, all carrying the familiar 

 balancing outrigger, without which those narrow dugouts 

 cannot possibly keep upright. Their occupants swarmed 

 on board, laughing and playing like so many children, 

 and with all sorts of winning gestures and tones besought 

 our friendship. ** You my flem ? " was the one question 

 which all asked ; but what its import might be we could 

 not guess for some time. By-and-by it appeared that 

 when once you had agreed to accept a native for your 

 *' flem," or friend, he from henceforward felt in duty 

 bound to attend to all your wants which it lay within 

 his power to supply. This important preliminary 

 settled, fruit and provisions of various kinds appeared 

 as if by magic. Huge baskets of luscious oranges, 

 massive bunches of gold and green bananas, clusters of 

 green cocoa-nuts, conch-shells full of chillies, fowls 

 loudly protesting against their hard fate, gourds full of 

 eggs, and a few vociferous swine — all came tumbling on 

 board in richest profusion, and, strangest thing of all, 

 not a copper was asked in return. I might have as 

 truly said nothing was asked, since money must have 

 been useless here. Many women came alongside, but none 

 climbed on board. Surprised at this, I asked Samuela 

 the reason, as soon as I could disengage him for a few 

 moments from the caresses of his friends. He informed 



