108 
FEAR AND ADMIRATION. 
headman to descend into the cabin. After much press- 
ing, however, he commenced by bearing his weight 
warily upon the first round of the ladder, then stooping 
down to get a good look at the place he was descending 
to, and finally reaching the bottom; for five minutes 
after which he trod as if he were walking on eggs, 
trembling violently and glancing around in evident 
alarm. Presently his alarm subsided into admiration, and 
he began to examine the satinwood bulkheads, the book- 
cases, the bunks, &c.; and finally, when the interpreter and 
his two relations were brought down, he became quite 
self-possessed and talkative. He could not tire of exa- 
mining every thing. The most ordinary article seemed to 
excite his curiosity; but that which carried his delight 
beyond all bounds was the action of a revolver which 
Baber fired six times in as many seconds and then 
handed him to examine. 
^‘^Ask him how he likes the cabin,’ said Stevens. 
J^IIe replied that it was grander than any thing he had 
ever yet seen. lie did not know if he "was in a house or 
on board of a phrau ; he should like to bring his father 
on board very much.” 
I pass over other pages, and my next extract relates to 
our visit to their village, off which we anchored that 
night: — 
“It struck 8 P.M. as we left the schooner, — the captain, 
the interpreter, four men, the natives, and myself. Upon 
arriving at the beach we found the mouth of an extensive 
lagoon instead of the bamboo houses which we had been 
led to expect, and, jiassing through this and crossing the 
lagoon itself, we came to the mouth of a narrow and 
