ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 57 



of the natives, who did all in their power to pilfer from them ; and, 

 if their attention were diverted for a moment, the hands of a native 

 were felt at their pockets. When detected, they would hold up their 

 hands, with open palms, and laugh. This boldness was more espe- 

 cially confined to a few, and one in particular, a young chief, who 

 was a tall, good-looking person, but had a vain and impudent ex- 

 pression of countenance, which was rendered disgusting by the kind 

 of leprosy before spoken of. It is impossible to give a correct idea 

 of the annoyances that our gentlemen were subjected to from the 

 rudeness of some, the excess of civility of others, and the constant 

 watchfulness that became necessary to avoid the pickpockets. An 

 old man was about smearing himself in cocoanut-oil, with a cup full 

 of salve, in which he would dip his fingers, and endeavour to rub 

 them in their faces. This afforded much amusement to the party, 

 while the natives seemed astonished that the attempt was repulsed ; 

 for there was little doubt of its being intended as a great compliment 

 thus to anoint their guests. 



In many instances they showed a disposition to get the officers into 

 their power for some evil design. Messrs. Peale and Rich, who were 

 both well armed, had crossed the island in search of birds, plants, and 

 shells; on their return, they visited the town next adjoining to Utiroa, 

 and but a short distance from it. On entering the town, their sus- 

 picions were somewhat excited by the number of armed men around. 

 Mr. Peale describes the natives as obliging them to sit down by 

 forcing their legs from under them. These things were permitted to 

 a certain extent, the natives all standing around armed ; but a 

 promptness of action, and show of using their arms, extricated them 

 from their difficulties. 



In front of the mariapa were three or four houses of the common 

 size, one of which was called by the natives te-o-tabu, or sacred 

 enclosure, but it was only distinguished by its being supported at the 

 corners on blocks of coral. The natives were unwilling that any one 

 should enter this enclosure. 



During the day, the greater part of the large number of natives they 

 had seen, as in the case of those who came on board, were covered 

 with scars, and the scurfy disease, or leprosy. Although the young 

 women were quite pretty, the old were as remarkable for being 

 hideous; of these, a few were seen to be afflicted with ophthalmia 

 and elephantiasis.. The maro of the men, although large, was not 

 intended to serve the purposes of decency, but principally for the 



VOL. V. 15 



