FAREWELL TO VAU VAU. 281 



their appreciation of the unremitting kindness shown 

 them by their dusky friends. Not a whisper had been 

 uttered by any native as to desire of remuneration for 

 what he had given. If they expected a return, they cer- 

 tainly exercised great control over themselves in keeping 

 their wishes quiet. But when they received the clothing, 

 all utterly unsuited to their requirements as it was, their 

 beaming faces eloquently proclaimed the reality of their 

 joy. Heavy woollen shirts, thick cloth trousers and 

 jackets, knitted socks ; but acceptable beyond all was a 

 pilot-suit — warm enough for the Channel in winter. 

 Happy above all power of expression was he who 

 secured it. With an eared cloth cap and a pair of 

 half-boots, to complete his preposterous rig, no Bond 

 Street exquisite could feel more calmly conscious of 

 being a well-dressed man than he. From henceforth 

 he would be the observed of all observers at chapel on 

 Sunday, excitiug worldly desires and aspirations among 

 his cooler but coveting fellow-worshippers. 



The ladies fared very badly, until the skipper, with 

 a twinkling eye, announced that he had " dug up " some 

 rolls of " cloth " (calico), which he was prepared to 

 supply us with at reasonable rates. Being of rather 

 pretty pattern, it went off like hot pies, and as the 

 " fathoms " of gaudy, flimsy material were distributed 

 to the delighted fafines, their shrill cries of gratitude 

 were almost deafening. 



Inexorable time brought round the morning of our 

 departure. "Willing hands lifted our anchor, and hoisted 

 the sails, so that we had nothing to do but look on. A 

 scarcely perceptible breeze, stealing softly over the tree- 

 tops, filled our upper canvas, sparing us the labour of 

 towing her out of the little bay where we had lain so 

 long, and gradually wafted us away from its lovely shores, 



