314 NIMEOD OF THE SEA; OM, 



sweet^potatoes, yams, pigs, and goats. The decks were filled 

 with Kanakas trading with us for needles, hoop-iron, etc., 

 giving in exchange the pretty shells, tapa, etc., etc. 



At 1 P.M. Governor Adams, called the head chief of the 

 island, came off in a large double canoe on a visit of cere- 

 mony to Captain B , He was enormously fat, and to 



bring him on board, we rigged a tackle from the mainyard, 

 and slung it over his great chair (which he had brought with 

 him). When seated therein, we ran him up with a "yo, 

 heave-oh," and a merry chorus, evidently to the satisfaction 

 of his excellency, and the enjoyment of his staff and follow- 

 ers, who expressed pleasantries and approval of our elevator. 

 His excessive flesh prevented his going into the cabin, and 

 his entertainment was under an awning decorated with the 

 ship's colors. As he slowly walked about the deck, two at- 

 tendants followed with his chair, that he might seat himself 

 while observing the ship or conversing with the captain or 

 oflBcers. He spoke English easily and well. All the accom- 

 panying chiefs were large and remarkably fine-loo.king men. 

 I was much impressed with the marked superiority of the 

 chiefs over the common people with whom we have daily in- 

 tercourse. Of course there was an object in this formal 

 visit, but this we were not allowed to learn. A whisper got 

 abroad, however, that it was in some degree connected with 

 the culture and working of cotton, which Governor Adams 

 had much at heart! He left ^ present of fruit for the men 

 forward, and we bade him adieu with three hearty cheers, 

 which he gracefully acknowledged. 



To-day it was our watch on shore. I have in some de- 

 gree got my land-legs aboard again, and find I can prolong 

 my walks without the intolerable " toothache " in every bone 

 of my body. I had made arrangements with My White Shirt 

 to fish for the bonita, and while he was arranging the ca- 

 noes, Chips, Posey, and I strolled into an open thatched shed, 



