Of all the things, however, that afforded matter of amusement to these savages, that which pleased Romata's visitor most was the ship's pump.He never tired of examining it, and pumping up the water.Indeed, so much was he taken up with this pump, that he could not be prevailed on to return on shore, but sent a canoe to fetch his favourite stool, on which he seated himself, and spent the remainder of the day in pumping the bilge-water out of the ship!
Next day the crew went ashore to cut sandal-wood, while the captain, with one or two men, remained on board, in order to be ready, if need be, with the brass gun, which was unhoused and conspicuously elevated, with its capacious muzzle directed point blank at the chief's house.The men were fully armed as usual; and the captain ordered me to go with them, to assist in the work.Iwas much pleased with this order, for it freed me from the captain's company, which I could not now endure, and it gave me an opportunity of seeing the natives.
As we wound along in single file through the rich fragrant groves of banana, cocoa-nut, bread-fruit, and other trees, I observed that there were many of the plum and banian trees, with which I had become familiar on the Coral Island.I noticed also large quantities of taro-roots, yams, and sweet potatoes, growing in enclosures.On turning into an open glade of the woods, we came abruptly upon a cluster of native houses.They were built chiefly of bamboos, and were thatched with the large thick leaves of the pandanus; but many of them had little more than a sloping roof and three sides with an open front, being the most simple shelter from the weather that could well be imagined.Within these, and around them, were groups of natives - men, women, and children - who all stood up to gaze at us as we marched along, followed by the party of men whom the chief had sent to escort us.About half a mile inland we arrived at the spot where the sandal-wood grew, and, while the men set to work, I clambered up an adjoining hill to observe the country.
About mid-day, the chief arrived with several followers, one of whom carried a baked pig on a wooden platter, with yams and potatoes on several plantain leaves, which he presented to the men, who sat down under the shade of a tree to dine.The chief sat down to dine also; but, to my surprise, instead of feeding himself, one of his wives performed that office for him! I was seated beside Bill, and asked him the reason of this.
"It is beneath his dignity, I believe, to feed himself," answered Bill; "but I daresay he's not particular, except on great occasions.They've a strange custom among them, Ralph, which is called TABU, and they carry it to great lengths.If a man chooses a particular tree for his god, the fruit o' that tree is tabued to him; and if he eats it, he is sure to be killed by his people, and eaten, of course, for killing means eating hereaway.Then, you see that great mop o' hair on the chief's head? Well, he has a lot o'
