186 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
there was no apparent current—was swirled and 
splashed and eddied about. The doctor was so 
excited at such promising indications of sport 
that he announced his intention of returning to 
Apia, and borrowing a rod and tackle ; but we 
promised him that on our return we should pay 
another visit to the pool, and make a day of it. 
This spot is locally known as “ Hamilton’s 
Pool,” being named after the then port pilot, 
Captain Edward Hamilton. Many years ago, 
when H.M.S. Pearl was in Samoa, that ill-fated 
and gallant sailor, Commodore Goodenough, 
who was fated to die by the poisoned arrows 
of the savages of the Santa Cruz Group, 
delighted to make his way here and drink in 
the romantic beauty of the scene. 
But we could not linger. We had still some 
miles to travel ere we reached the bush village 
where we were to rest for the night. Shoulder¬ 
ing their burdens, our carriers move briskly 
along, and presently we notice that we have 
almost reached the border of the narrow belt of 
littoral that lies at the back of Apia ; for the 
road now presents a gradual but very decided 
ascent. Every now and then we hear the deep 
booming note of the wild pigeons, and slip cart- 
