56 
ELLICE’S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 
fingers had grown to the length of an inch. His name was Pakoro- 
koro. Some few presents were given him, but he took 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 supposed to be for the accommoda¬ 
tion 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 
