History of the Caribs, 245 
are as dangerous as the others. They never under- 
take a journey without putting on the best Cacon- 
nas, and combing and painting themselves. When 
they arrive at a house, the master hangs the ham- 
mocks for the headmen, the women bring drink and 
food, and as soon as it is put in front of the captain of 
the boat, the pullers carry everything away, so that very 
often when the host has nothing more to offer, and is 
pressed by hunger, he is obliged to abandon his dignity 
and eat with the others. When quite satisfied they say the 
Mabony, Good bye to everybody. When at sea, they blow 
a large conch shell, to let the neighbours know that they 
are friends, and that they are journeying. Even a single 
Carib arriving at a hut, is well received. If the cassava 
that is offered to him is folded on the matouton it is a 
sign that be must leave what he does not eat ; if on the 
contrary, the cassava is spread, he can take it 
away ; and, before leaving, a woman will paint him with 
roucou, and also comb his hair. When they have to cross 
over sea to go to another island like St. Alousi, or St. 
Vincent, they eat no crabs or lizards, because these ani- 
mals live in holes ; consequently this would prevent them 
getting to another land. No pure water is drunk, and 
they are very careful not to spill any in the canoe or in 
the sea ; it would cause the sea to swell, and make rain and 
bad weather come. They drink a mess composed of ground 
mauky. The thick part is eaten separately and looked 
upon as a delicacy. When approaching land, this must not 
be named or pointed at, but it can be noticed by shouting 
Lyca, It is there, because they might never be able to 
land. They cannot pass certain places at sea without 
throwing over food. It is for some Caribs who have 
