We were well known by report to
them, and so Tamate passed as a great _taubada_ (chief).
Dufaure is a fine island, quite equal to any I have seen in the South
Pacific--plantations on all sides, right up to the mountain tops. They
know nothing of firearms, for, on inquiring if there were birds on the
island, they asked if I had a sling. The people are a much finer race,
and freer than any I have seen further east. The two races seem to meet
here--that from the Kerepunu side, and that from the east. We are
anchored some distance from the shore in three fathoms, and further out
it is shallower. The opposite shore on mainland looks low and unhealthy.
There are ten villages on the island, five of which we have visited.
After visiting the Keakaro and Aroma districts, our journeyings were
nearly brought to a sudden termination. When we got halfway between the
point next to McFarlane Harbour, and Mailu, where there is a boat
entrance, we saw the boat, and waved to them to approach. They came near
to the surf, but not near enough for us to get on board.
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