248 TEE GBUISE OF THE 'GUBAQOA: 



CHAPTER XV. 



VLAKUA— SOLOMON GROUP. 



(AuersT 27 to 29.) 



Singular Fact — Island of Santa Anna — Arrive in sight of the Island of Ulakua 

 — Natives and their Canoes — Ornaments and Dress — Trip on Land — Huts — 

 Women — Parrots, 



Our stay ou the coast of Santa Cruz was very short ; reach- 

 ing it at mid-day, we hoisted sail at 2.20 p.m. and made for 

 the Solomon Islands. Before nightfall, between four and 

 five o'clock, we felt strong vibrations throughout the whole 

 ship, accompanied, as some said, by a rumbling noise. These 

 shakes appeared to follow each other in quick succession ; 

 they only lasted a few seconds, but probably they were 

 severe elsewhere. We ascribed them to an action on the 

 bed of the sea, proceeding from the volcano of Tinakoro, 

 from which we were not far distant. Before sunset we had 

 lost sight of the high lauds of Santa Cruz. The next day 

 about noon we sighted the little island of Santa Anna, 

 situated at the southern extremity of the Solomon group. 

 Then steering N.N.W. we sailed along the large island of 

 San Christoval. 



On August 27, about noon, we arrived near the island of 

 Ulakua, called also Ulaua and Contrarietes Island, where 



