PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
209 
spacious sheds frequently mentioned by ray predecessors. It was about CHAP, 
a hundred feet in length, by thirty-five in width, of an oval form, with 
a thatched roof, supported upon small poles placed close together. By March, 
the light of the moon we discovered a small door about mid-way be- 
tween the extremities, which we entered, and immediately found our- 
selves in darkness. On groping our w'ay, our shins came in contact 
with several bamboo partitions dividing the area into various com- 
partments. In one of these we distinguished by the rays of moon-light 
which fell through the interstices of the dwelhng, that it was occupied 
by toutous, or common people, of both sexes. We, therefore, turned 
to the opposite direction, which soon led us to the royal saloon, which 
we found to be illuminated by a yellow and melancholy light proceed- 
ing from a rag hung over the edge of a broken cocoa-nut shell half 
filled with oil. The apartment, to our surprise, was quite still ; but 
we were soon greeted with the salutation of “ Euranna-poy” (How do 
you do ?) from a number of athletic men, her majesty’s favourites, as 
they awoke in succession from their nap. 
We at length discovered the queen regent extended upon a mat 
spread upon dried grass, with which the whole apartment was strewed; 
around her, upon mats also, w ere several interesting young females ; and 
occupying a wooden bedstead, placed against a slight partition, which 
contained numerous cases filled wdth cocoa-nut oil, we found Pomarree 
Aboo-rai, and Aimatta. Our entry threw this numerous party into a 
state of activity and bustle, some to procure a second light, and some 
to accommodate us wdth mats ; while Pomarree, drawing his tappa round 
him, led forward his princess, Aimatta, and extended his politeness 
much beyond what we could possibly have anticipated from so young a 
husband. 
Fearful that we might have misunderstood the morning invitation, 
or that w’e w'ere later than we had been expected, we began to offer apo- 
logies, and to excuse ourselves for breaking in upon the repose of the 
party ; but the indisposition of the queen appeared to be the cause, as she 
Was suffering from repletion, and, forgetting aU about the invitation, had 
retired earlier than usual. She had scarcely had sufficient rest when we 
arrived to engage in any amusement herself, but gave us a friendly 
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