16 BO WDITC II ISLAND. 



partially covered with mats. About ten feet in front of the idols was 

 one of the hewn tables, which was hollowed out : it was four feet 

 long by three broad, and the same in height. Near these was seen 

 the barrel of a small windlass, which the natives said had belonged 

 to a small vessel formerly wrecked on the island, and that only 

 two of the men had been saved, who had since died. This was not 

 the only relic of the disaster, for some of the beams were also seen. 

 Mr. Hale made many inquiries relative to this matter, and they gave 

 him the names of the men who were saved. He surmises, from these 

 having Polynesian terminations, that it might have been a vessel with 

 Sandwich Islanders on board, and he is somewhat strengthened in 

 this opinion by finding the word "debolo" in use among them. The 

 word had puzzled him at first, for the Sandwich Islanders had adopted 

 it to express " the devil." There it was used as " o debolo," and sig- 

 nified an ancient god, Atua tafito. 



In the malse, around the largest pillar, were many spears and 

 clubs, all much battered and worn, which had likewise been picked 

 up from the sea, and resembled those of Feejee and Samoa. These 

 were called "la-kau-tau" (wood of war); but they had no specific 

 name for the different kinds. These were the only warlike weapons 

 seen among them. A number of war-conchs were on the tables. 



The well which supplied water was a short distance from the 

 males. It was walled up, was about fifteen feet deep, and surrounded 

 on the top by a high fence. The water was about two feet deep, 

 and great care was taken to preserve it clean and pure. 



The part of the town facing the sea was built up with a very 

 good stone wall ; along this were several small houses, while on the 

 shore of the lagoon was a row of canoe-houses, some fifty in number. 

 The canoes were some distance off in the lagoon, filled with the 

 women and children. 



Although they showed a decided disapprobation of the presence 

 of our officers, yet they made no opposition to their examining the 

 village. In some of the houses were found children and a few women; 

 the old queen was discovered, hid under a mat, who, when found, was 

 in great terror. In contrast with the old queen, the younger females 

 appeared very good-looking and well shaped. 



The natives all showed a constant anxiety for the departure of our 

 people, frequently repeating expressions which were interpreted that 

 they were tired of their company ; but all this time they carried on 

 an active trade, and exhibited their thieving disposition very strongly. 



