May.] THE NATIVES. 399 



spect it more closely, and to claim permission from the chief and his 

 counsellors to prosecute my design. 



As soon as Nero was able to comprehend my intentions and wishes, 

 he not only readily granted my request, but even promised the assistance 

 of his people ; and it was agreed that the work should be commenced 

 on the following morning. This arrangement being completed, and 

 mutually understood, we returned to the village by a nearer route than 

 the former ; and at about 7, P. M., I parted from my supposed friends, 

 who had accompanied me to the boat, where my return was anxiously 

 waited for. Before we shoved off, however, Nero sent us some more 

 cocoanuts, plantains, bananas, rutt-steller, and several fine fish of a 

 very good size. We now took our leave, shoved off, and were soon 

 on board the Antarctic. 



Here I found Mr. Johnson, the first officer, — Mr. Hunt having left us 

 at Manilla, and returned to America, on account of his health, — who 

 had just returned from examining the north part of the reef, which he 

 found covered with the biche-de-mer, of a very large size, and in shal- 

 low water. He also brought with him several pearl-oysters ; but on open- 

 ing them we found but a few very small pearls, of but little or no value. 



We now turned-to and got the boarding-nettings up, set quarter- 

 watches, and retired to rest ; congratulating ourselves and each other 

 on the valuable discovery of these islands with their inexhaustible rich 

 productions, and the friendly disposition of the natives, of whose per- 

 sonal appearance I shall now attempt to give a brief description. 



The men, in height, are generally about six feet, and well propor- 

 tioned, with straight bodies and full chests ; being strong, muscular, 

 stout, and somewhat portly, but extremely active. Their limbs are well 

 moulded ; and, like most islanders of the Pacific, their hands and feet 

 are small in proportion to other parts of the body. Their heads are 

 handsomely shaped, very different from an African's. The skin of both 

 sexes is very soft and delicate to the touch, and not quite so dark in 

 complexion as that of the Madagascar natives. Their hair is mod- 

 erately crisped, but soft and silky, and much longer than that of an 

 African. Their eyes are large, black, lively, and brilliant, beaming be- 

 neath a prominent forehead, which is naturally smooth and well pro- 

 portioned. Their nose is finely shaped ; and so are the lips, being 

 moderately thick, and just parted enough to display two rows of ivory — 

 sound, even, and beautifully set, in what might easily be mistaken for 

 red coral from their own reef. The expression of their countenance, 

 however, when not softened by pleasure, or distorted by mirth, is ex- 

 tremely savage and ferocious, combined with an indication of firmness 

 and resolution. They are extravagantly tattooed about the limbs, chest, 

 shoulders, and face ; often in a most frightful manner, which increases 

 the expression of ferocity to hideousness. 



The women are nearly as large as the men, have the same dark com- 

 plexion, and are equally well formed ; with straight backs, exuberant 

 chests, slender waists, and narrow hips. Their limbs are beautifully 

 proportioned, and the formation of the head is very much like that of 

 our fourth-blooded mulattoes. They have large black eyes, small round 

 faces, slender necks, and exquisite teeth, of the purest whiteness. 



