ELLICE'S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 59 



very little notice of them, appearing half stupified, and as soon as 

 the articles were in his possession, they were snatched away by the 

 bystanders, without the least shame or hesitation. 



The mariapa was a very large building, and in the interior its 

 architecture showed to much advantage : the ridge-pole, with the 

 rafters, were painted in black bands, with points, and ornamented 

 with a vast number of ovula-shells. Chests, made of the thin laths of 

 the pandanus, somewhat resembling cane, were arranged around, 

 about twenty feet apart : these contained only a few mats and cocoa- 

 nuts, things of no value, and are stipposed to be for the accommo- 

 dation of visiters, or used at their feasts. The floor was in places 

 covered with mats of the cocoanut-leaf. 



When the ceremony of reception was over, the natives appeared 

 extremely desirous of separating the party, by leading them off in 

 different directions, under the plea of showing them the town, and 

 making them acquainted with some of the females. As soon as they 

 were on the outside of the mariapa, they were surrounded by num- 

 bers, and their pockets rifled of their contents in a short time. 



Captain Hudson, after they had been an hour and a half on shore, 

 ordered all the officers and boats' crews down to the beach, being 

 satisfied that it was quite time to depart, if he would prevent the 

 collision which he had become apprehensive might take place. As 

 they were assembling for the purpose of embarking, a noise was 

 heard, resembling a sudden assault, from some of the houses near by, 

 and on mustering the men, John Anderson, a seaman, was missing. 

 Lieutenant "Walker and Passed Midshipman Davis were sent, each 

 with a few men, in the direction whence the report proceeded, but 

 they saw nothing of him, and all was quiet at the enclosure. The 

 natives began now to assemble in large numbers, armed, and things 

 looked somewhat serious ; for, as Passed Midshipman Davis returned 

 to the beach, he was stoned, and one of the men received a severe 

 blow. This was however borne without return. On inquiry, it was 

 found that Anderson had been met but a few moments before the 

 party was mustered. He was armed with a musket, pistol, and 

 cutlass, and was esteemed one of the most correct and prudent men 

 in the ship. The boats were now shoved off a short distance from 

 the beach, and beyond the reach of the native arms, when several 

 muskets were fired to notify him, and his name repeatedly called, 

 which could have been heard in any part of the village; but no 

 Anderson appeared. Captain Hudson finally came to the conclusion 

 that he had either been enticed away by the women, or that the 



