INSTANCE OF SIMPLE HONESTY. 151 
Anxious to secure a more abundant supply, they 
divided the first parcel of nails ever received, car¬ 
ried part to the temple, and deposited them on the 
altar; the rest they actually planted in their gar¬ 
dens, and awaited their growth with the highest 
anticipation. In the manufacture of hooks from 
nails, they manifested great patience and persever¬ 
ing labour : they had no files, but sharpened the 
points, and rounded the angles, by rubbing the nail 
on a stone; they also used a stone in bending it to 
the required shape. The use of files, however, 
has greatly facilitated their manufacture of fish¬ 
hooks. 
In connexion with this subject, a striking instance 
of native simplicity and honesty occurred about the 
time of our arrival. Two Christian chiefs, Tati and 
Ahuriro, were walking together by the water-side, 
when they came to a place where a fisherman had 
been employed in making or sharpening hooks, 
and had left a large file, (a valuable article in 
Tahiti,) lying on the ground. The chiefs picked 
it up; and, as they were proceeding, one said to 
the other, u This is not ours. Is not our taking it 
a species of theft ?” u Perhaps it is,” replied the 
other. u Yet, as the true owner is not here, I do 
not know who has a greater right to it than our¬ 
selves.” u It is not ours,” said the former, u and 
we had better give it away.” After further con¬ 
versation, they agreed to give it to the first person 
they met, which they did; telling him they had 
found it, and requested that if he heard who had 
lost such a one, he would restore it. 
The isolated situation of the islanders, and their 
dependence upon the sea for much of their sub¬ 
sistence, necessarily impart a maritime character to 
their habits, and render the building, fitting, and 
