130 
A HU PEARL-FISHEES. 
able style I bad left behind in England. They 
crowded on board as soon as possible, and would 
not be deterred from coming on our deck, from 
which we begged they might not be banished. 
They walked about, examining everything with 
the interest and ways of children, and specially 
honoured us by their close attention — a liberty 
we could not well resent, since we were equally 
busy discussing them from top to toe. Tall 
athletic fellows they were without exception, 
and almost negro black. Besides the loin ban- 
dage of scarlet calico, they had narrow bands 
of finely plaited straw— on which beads, small 
shells, and tiny teeth of animals were sewn — 
on shoulders, wrists, calves, and ankles. The 
most sickening odour pervaded the air, probably 
from some sort of grease or oil with which they 
smear their bodies. 
They lingered by the ship’s side day and night 
during our sta} r . Their wide flat boats seem 
their homes, for a fire-place, some rude utensils 
for cooking, and sleeping-mats were to be seen 
in each ; while elaborate carvings decorated both 
ends, which were crowned with bunches of casso- 
wary feathers. The pearl-diver's most treasured 
possession is evidently his box containing siri- 
leaves, betel-nut, and chalk, of which materials 
