186 THE KM ISLANDS. [chap. xxix. 



We have now a skin held together entirely by the hard- 

 wood pins connecting the edges of the planks, very strong 

 and elastic, but having nothing but the adhesion of these 

 pins to prevent the planks gaping. In the smaller boats 

 seats, in the larger ones cross-beams, are now fixed. They 

 are sprung into slight notches cut to receive them, and are 

 further secured to the projecting pieces of the plank below 

 by a strong lashing of rattan. Pdbs are now formed of 

 single pieces of tough wood chosen and trimmed so as 

 exactly to fit on to the projections from each plank, being 

 slightly notched to receive them, and securely bound to 

 them by rattans passed through a hole in each projecting 

 piece close to^ the surface of the plank. The ends are 

 closed against th« vertical prow and stern posts, and 

 further secured with pegs and rattans, and then the boat 

 is complete ; and when fitted with rudders, masts, and 

 thatched covering, is ready to do battle with the waves. 

 A careful consideration of the principle of this mode of 

 construction, and allowing for the strength and binding 

 qualities of rattan (which resembles in these respects wire 

 rather than cordage), makes me believe that a vessel care- 

 fully built in this manner is actually stronger and safer 

 than one fastened in the ordinary way with nails. 



During our stay here we were all very busy. Our 

 captain was daily superintending the completion of his 

 two small praus. All day long native boats were coming 



