41 8 The National Geographic Magazine 



Map of Tahiti, showing the many rivers that flow from the high mountains iix 



the interior. 



all the natives live, the whole lofty in- 

 terior being uninhabited. In the center 

 is a fantastic group called ' ' The Dia- 

 dem," and opposite, 15 miles away, is 

 a most picturesque island, Mourea. I 

 take the first boat ashore and am re- 

 warded by reaching K.'s store at 9.45 

 a. m., in time to order some clothes (to 

 be done tonight) before every one has 

 gone to his (French) breakfast, after 

 which all business ceases for two or 

 three hours. 



The town is stretched along the shore, 

 and has nothing of interest. It has no 

 hotel, and no markets of any kind, ex- 

 cept for the things which nature fur- 

 nishes the natives gratis ; not so much 

 as fresh eggs are to be thought of, the 



only eggs being brought by our own ship- 

 from San Francisco. 



The rest of the day is passed on the 

 ship, while Mr. K. , our general provider, ' 

 and immediate agent of Providence, is 

 trying to get horses and vehicles for an 

 excursion around the island. In the 

 evening he reports that he has gathered 

 four or five conveyances, sufficient for 

 a party of twenty to go around the 

 island. That number join (two-thirds 

 of the party being ladies), and I, seeing 

 nothing else, join with them on the un- 

 derstanding that I do not go all the way 

 around, but have a carriage to myself 

 and leave at "the neck." 



July 10. — The party starts froni K.'s 

 store at about 9. Mr. K., has sent 



