60 
PORTER’S 'JOURNAL. 
never would be, and it was their constant boast that they had ever 
kept their valley free from the incursions of an enemy. 
All agreed to the terms proposed; supplies were brought in 
by the tribes in great abundance, and from this time for several 
weeks, we rioted in luxuries which the island afforded. To the 
principal persons of the tribes I always presented a harpoon, it be¬ 
ing to them the most valuable article of iron, and to the rest scraps 
of iron hoops were thrown, for which they took much delight in 
contending; those who got none appeared equally satisfied with 
the rest, and those who were so fortunate as to obtain a large piece 
generously divided it with the others, and in no one instance did 
the mode of payment produce among them riot or dispute; the 
division was amicably and satisfactorily settled among themselves 
without any interposition on my part or that of the chiefs: all seem¬ 
ed perfectly satisfied that they would get their proportion, and the 
only contention among them was who should get the most at their 
first outset that they might afterwards have the pleasure of divid ¬ 
ing it among the others. I have frequently thrown to them whole 
hoops, and it was no uncommon thing for one of them to seize 
three, into one of which he would slip his boby while his arms 
were thrust through the others and endeavour to make his escape 
from the camp: he would soon, however, be encompassed by num¬ 
bers, who would each mark, with slips of bark, six or eight inches 
of a hoop, which he would claim as his own; they would all 
then retire, in a friendly manner, when the hoops would be broken 
in pieces, and each man receive his own. In this manner were 
all their affairs transacted without riot, without confusion, and 
without disputes; and so long as I remained on the island, I never 
saw or heard of the slightest difference between individuals, except 
in one instance, and they were of different valleys and tribes. The 
utmost harmony prevails among them, they live like affectionate 
brethren of one family, and the authority of their chiefs appears 
to be only that of fathers among their children. 
Whether they have any mode of punishing offences or wheth¬ 
er punishment is ever necessary among them, I cannot say. I am 
inclined to be, however, of the latter opinion. I saw no punish¬ 
ments inflicted, nor did I ever hear that there was any cause. 
