porter's journal. 



jt.iate as to obtain a large piece, generously divided it with 

 the others, and in no one instance did the mode of payment 

 produce among them riot or dispute. The division was 

 amicably and satisfactorily settled among themselves, with- 

 out any interposition on my part, or that of the chiefs. 

 All seemed perfectly satisfied that they would get their 

 proportion, and the only contention among them was, who 

 should get the most at their first outset, that they might 

 afterwards have the pleasure of dividing it among the 

 others. I have frequently thrown to them whole hoops, 

 and it was no uncommon thing, for one of them to seize 

 three, into one of which he would slip his body, while his 

 arms were thrust through the others, and endeavour to 

 make his escape from the camp. He would soon, how- 

 ever, be encompassed by numbers, who would each mark, 

 with slips of bark, six or eight inches of a hoop, which he 

 would claim as his own. They would all then retire, in a 

 Friendly manner, when the hoops would be broken iu 

 pieces, and each man receive his own. In this manner 

 were all their affairs transacted without riot, without con- 

 fusion, and without disputes. And so long as I remained 

 on the island, I never saw or heard of the slightest differ- 

 ence between individuals, except in one instance, and they 

 were of different valleys and tribes. The utmost harmony 

 prevails among them ; they live like aflfectionate brethren 

 of one family, and the authority of their chiefs appears to 

 foe only that of fathers among their children. 



Whether they have any mode of punishing offences, or 

 whether punishment is ever necessary among them, I 

 cannot say. 1 am inclined to be, however, of the latter 

 opinion. I saw no punishments inflicted, nor did I ever 

 hear that there was any cause. 



Their fruit-trees, except those which are tabbooed, are 

 without enclosure ; their smaller and more delicate plants, 

 as well as their roots, have only a wall to prevent the de- 

 predations of hogs. Their houses are open in front, and 

 their furniture, many parts of which are of great value to 

 them, is entirely exposed. Their hogs are wandering in 

 every part ot the valley ; their fishing nets and their clothes 

 are left exposed on the beach, and spread on the grass ; no 

 precautions are taken to guard against theft, and I therefore 

 conclude, that thefts among themselves are unknown. 



VOL. II. 8 



