FESTIVE OCCASIONS. 163 
tion to procure his part, which, in every 
instance, is, as far as possible, an equal share 
from each family. 
Such is the reliance placed by visiters on 
the honesty and integrity of the islanders, 
that in no case does the captain think it 
necessary, either himself, or by proxy, to be 
present at the measurement of the articles 
required. One of the islanders is appointed 
to remain at the market-place, to take an 
account of the things sent on board ; and the 
mode of dealing is always cheerfully acceded 
to by the authorities of the vessel. The arti- 
cles are removed from the market-place to 
Bounty Bay, where they are deposited, at 
the captain's risk, and from whence they are 
conveyed in boats ; or, if the surf is heavy, 
the goods are packed in casks, which are 
conducted by the natives swimming with 
them through the heavy surf to the boats 
lying outside the broken water. 
It is the custom on festive occasions, when 
the captain and his friends from the ship are 
entertained at dinner, for the women to 
attend upon the party at table. This is the 
exception to the general rule ; as, usually, 
