8 BOWDITCH ISLAND. 



side of the island, and contained about thirty houses, which were 

 raised about a foot above the surrounding earth : they were of oblong 

 shape, about fifteen feet high to the ridge-pole, sloping gradually, and 

 of a convex form to within two or three feet of the ground ; the roof 

 was supported on high posts, whilst the lower part rested on short 

 ones, three feet within the eaves, having a strong piece extending 

 around, on which the rafters are tied; the gable-ends were over- 

 topped by the roof, and seemed necessary to protect them from the 

 weather. Below the eaves, the whole was open from the ground to 

 the roof. The thatching, made of pandanus-leaves, was of great 

 thickness, and put on loosely. The interior of the houses was very 

 clean, but there was no furniture except a few gourds, and a reclining 

 stool, cut from a solid block of wood, having two legs at one end, 

 which inclined it at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees : to show 

 the manner of lying in it, they imitated a careless and comfortable 

 lounge, which they evidently considered a luxury. It was conjec- 

 tured that they had removed their various household utensils to a 

 secret place. 



The most remarkable constructions of the islanders near the village, 

 were three small quays, five or six feet wide, and two feet above the 

 water, forming slips about ten feet wide : at the end of each of these 

 was a small house, built of pandanus-leaves, partly on poles in the 

 water. These appeared to be places for securing their canoes, and 

 for the purpose of keeping their fishing implements. Three canoes 

 were seen lying a short distance off in the lagoon, filled with the 

 women and children. This was a precaution adopted to enable them 

 to escape if it became necessary ; yet they did not seem to apprehend 

 any hostility. No kind of war implements was observed among them, 

 and their bodies exhibited no marks of strife with each other. 



There was an open space in the town, covered with coral-sand 

 and pebbles, which they called malse. When they were asked 

 by Mr. Hale for their "fale atua," (house of God,) they pointed to 

 a place at a distance, and evidently understood the meaning of the 

 question. 



There was no cultivation whatever, and their only food appeared 

 to be the cocoa-nut and fish. There were no animals seen, no fowls, 

 dogs, or hogs. Captain Hudson left there a few young pigs, of which 

 the natives took charge, but they did not evince that surprise which 

 was expected at the sight of an unknown animal. 



They have no water on the island, and the supply is wholly 



