VANUA-LAVA. 233 



CHAPTER XTII. 



VANUA-LAVA— BANKS' ISLANDS. 



(August 21 to 23.) 



Througli the Northernmost Islands of the New Hebrides — Uncertain Naviga- 

 tion — Port Patteson — The ' Southern Cross ' and Bishop Patteson — Appear- 

 ance of the Natives — Trip in the Island — Vegetation — Dwellings and Club 

 House — River of Hot Watei- — Jets of Vapour — Eggs of Megapodius — 

 Customs — Climate. 



On August 18, about four p.m., we steamed out of Havannah 

 Harbour, laying our course for Banks' Islands, while the 

 ' Dayspring ' took an opposite course on her return with 

 some Missionaries to the Port of Vila. The ' Cura^oa's ' 

 direction enabled us to see on our starboard side Hinchin- 

 brook Island in the distance, and further on still Api 

 Island. She then entered the channel, having on its east 

 side Paum and Ambrym Islands, and on its west the great 

 Island of Malicolo, which we next morning neared more 

 than was necessary, because the Commodore, having given 

 up the intention of stopping there, wislied to give us a sight 

 of it. Passing by Port Sandwich, near its south-eastern 

 extremity, with a fair and rather fresh breeze we reached 

 Espiritu-Santo, the largest and most northern of the New 

 Hebrides, and Avhose mountains were wrapped in mist. We 

 had thus passed through the whole length of the New Heb- 



