PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
77 
hymn, which, after the lights were put out, was chaunted by the whole CHAP, 
family in the middle of the room. In the morning also we were awoke 
by their morning hymn, and family devotion. As we were much tired, Dec. 
and the sun’s rays had not yet found their way through the broad 
opening of the apartment, we composed ourselves to rest again ; and 
on awaking found that all the natives were gone to their several occu- 
pations, — the men to offer what assistance they could to our boats in 
landing, carrying burthens for the seamen, or to gather what fruits were 
in season. Some of the women had taken our linen to wash ; those 
whose turn it was to cook for the day were preparing the oven, the 
pig, and the yams ; and we could hear, by the distant reiterated strokes 
of the beater *, that others were engaged in the manufacture of cloth, 
lly our bedside had already been placed some ripe fruits ; and our hats 
Were crowned with chaplets of the fresh blossom of the nono, or flower- 
tree (mormda citrifolia), which the women had gathered in the fresh- 
ness of the morning dew. On looking round the apartment, though it 
contained several beds, we found no partition, curtain, or screens ; they 
had not yet been considered necessary. So far, indeed, from conceal- 
naent being thought of, when w^e were about to get up, the women, 
anxious to show their attention, assembled to wish us a good morning, 
and to inquire in what way they could best contribute to our com- 
forts, and to present us with some little gift, which the produce of the 
island afforded. Many persons would have felt awkward at rising and 
dressing before so many pretty black-eyed damsels assembled in the 
centre of a spacious room ; but by a little habit we overcame this em- 
barrassment ; and found the benefit of their services in fetching water as 
We required it, and substituting clean linen for such as we pulled off. 
It must be remembered, that with these people, as with the other 
islanders of the South Seas, the custom has generally been to go naked, 
the maro with the men excepted, and with the women the petticoat, 
01’ kilt, with a loose covering over the bust, which, indeed, in Pitcairn’s 
Island, they are always careful to conceal ; consequently, an exposure 
to that extent carried with it no feeling whatever of indelicacy ; or, I 
* This is an instrument used for the manufacture of their cloth. 
