BOWDITCH ISLAND. 15 



tables, were piled, which were carved out of the solid wood, and being 

 of rude workmanship, were clumsy and ill-shaped. In all probability 

 these were the reclining stools before spoken of. The natives termed 

 them " the seats of their god." Their gods, or idols, — tui-tokelau, — 

 were placed on the outside, near by. The largest of these was fourteen 

 feet high and eighteen inches in diameter. This was covered or 

 enveloped in mats, and over all a narrow one was passed, shawl- 

 fashion, and tied in a knot in front, with the ends hanging down. The 

 smaller idol was of stone, and four feet high, but only 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 their 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 signified 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 malse. 

 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 



