54 
ELLICE’S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 
make the titi, was also seen. The taro-pits were dug to the depth of 
eight or ten feet, and were fifty feet long by thirty broad; they were 
planted with taro and api, in rows: in the centre was a few inches of 
water, and the whole earth was moist. The taro, however, was small, 
although the natives gave an account of its growing to the length of 
two feet. The wells were fifteen feet deep; the water in them was 
brackish. These excavations have been made at much cost of time 
and labour. 
All the party on shore were much incommoded with the rudeness 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 especially confined 
to a few, and one in particular, a young chief, who was a tall, good- 
looking person, but had a vain and impudent expression 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 amuse¬ 
ment 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; bgt a prompt¬ 
ness 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 
