The partition between the two ends is only two
feet high. Skulls, shells, and cocoanuts are hung all about the house;
the skulls are those of the enemies he and his people have eaten. Inside
the house, hung up on the wall, is a very large collection of human
bones, bones of animals and of fish.
I selected a spot for our house on the point of land nearest the
mainland. It is a large sand hill, and well wooded at the back. We have
a good piece of land, with bread-fruit and other fruit trees on it, which
I hope soon to have cleared and planted with food, for the benefit of the
teachers who may be here awaiting their stations, as well as for the
teacher for the place. The frontage is the Straits, with the mainland
right opposite. There is a fine anchorage close to the house for vessels
of any size.
Early next morning there was great excitement ashore. The large war
canoe came off, with drums beating and men dancing. They came alongside
the _Bertha_, and presented us with a small pig and food.
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