SIO TRAFFIC — DRESS — MATAVAI. NoV. 



assembled, each containing from two to ten persons. A few, in- 

 deed, were so small that they could only hold one man each. The 

 outriggers hindered their approach, as much as hoops impeded 

 the motions of our maternal ancestors ; but those who could 

 not get near looked equally happy at a distance. All were 

 cheerful, tractable, and patient, though eager to see the 

 ' manua' (their corruption of man-of-war), and dispose of their 

 merchandize (shells and fruit) to the new-comers. 



The work necessary for securing the ship being completed, 

 permission was given to admit the natives ; and on board they 

 swarmed like bees. In a minute, our deck became a crowded 

 and noisy bazaar. ' One dala' (dollar), and ' my ty ' ('maitai,' 

 meaning ' good, fine, agreed,' &c.) sounded in all tones, except 

 those of women, none of whom appeared afloat. The current 

 price of every article was ' one dala' : a pig, a shell, a whole 

 basket of shells, a roll of cloth, a heap of fru t, or a single fish- 

 hook, of the worst description, were offered as equivalents for 

 the coveted dollar. Old clothes, if of cloth, they would not 

 take, unless as a gift ; but linen was acceptable. Every man 

 had a light linen or cotton garment, or the remains of one, of 

 some kind ; the more respectable wore shirts, and loose wrap- 

 pers for trowsers ; a few had jackets and trowsers. Many had 

 straw hats ; some had a wreath of leaves, some flowers in their 

 hair : only a few of the youngest boys were nearly naked. 



Mr. Darwin and I went to Point Venus, and landed among 

 a mob of inquisitive, laughing, and chattering natives, most of 

 whom were women and children. Mr. Wilson, the respected 

 missionary, so long resident at Matavai, met us on the beach ; 

 and with him we went, attended by the younger part of the 

 mob, to his house. Ten minutes' walk along level land, every 

 where, except at the sea-side, covered or shaded by thick under- 

 wood, tall palms, and the rich foliage of the bread-fruit tree, 

 brought us to the quiet dwelling. The free, cheerful manners 

 of the natives who gathered about the door, and unceremo- 

 niously took possession of vacant seats, on chairs, or the floor, 

 showed that they were at home with their benefactors ; and 

 that any seclusion or offensive intimation of superiority had 



