VANUA-LAVA. 239 



the correctness of what is asserted, that they do not acknow- 

 ledge such an institution as a government by autocratic chiefs. 

 I was also informed that this club house was the smallest 

 of several others that are to be found in the island. 



At this spot I procured by barter bows and poisoned 

 arrows, some rather pretty fresh-water dead shells, and 

 other curiosities besides. I observed in a hut a number of 

 pieces of wood made in the shape of cutlasses, which these 

 people make use of for cutting up the yams and other 

 roots used in their cooker}^ Inside several of these huts I 

 saw old women with skinny pendent breasts, who, when thev 

 perceived I was observing them, seemed to show a feeling 

 of shame, and lowered their hands to cover their nakedness, 

 which was very ineffectually concealed by a girdle of only 

 an inch wide. I observed, however, a well-made yomio- 

 woman who had not even this thread around her, but who, 

 as she stood, supported without the least embarrassment 

 our gaze. 



On returning to the beach, the rain still at times jiouring 

 down in torrents, Ave had to cross another river about 

 thirtj'' yards wide, the Avater of Avluch Avas limpid and 

 impregnated with sulphur, and Avhich as I forded it reached 

 my chin. I did not remark, though others had been struck 

 with it, that the water of this river was warm ; but that 

 some of these streams are hot was confirmed by what 

 Brazier told me whom I had sent up the mountain, and 

 who, as he Avent along, fell in Avith a river at a point 

 where it Avas rolling on Avith great swiftness, and so very 



