Beautifully-made mats and wooden bowls formed the only furniture in
these dwellings, some of the mats being trimmed with red feathers,
while others resembled shaggy white wool rugs, which, on closer
inspection, proved to be made from the bark of a dwarf hibiscus, with
which the islands abound, bearing a bright red flower. The food of the
islanders consists of fish, coconuts, taro, yams, and breadfruit, of
which there is a plentiful supply.
In return for their hospitality, Hartog distributed among the natives
pieces of bright-coloured cloth, beads, knives, and other trifles,
which, in the eyes of these simple savages, were so many wonders
hitherto undreamed of.
When we had been some days upon the island Hartog expressed to the king
his desire to obtain the pearl shells of which we could see an
abundance at the bottom of the bay, within easy reach of an expert
diver, and as these islanders were as much at home in the water as upon
land, we soon had a pile of shell upon the beach which some of the crew
set to work to open; but although we opened a great number of shells
very few pearls were found, and none of any special value.
When the king observed what we were in search of he offered Hartog for
his acceptance a number of pearls, some of large size and perfect
colour, which from time to time he had collected.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60