I now knew that I had come to the Island of Gems of which
Hartog had spoken. But, alas! of what use was all this wealth, since I
could not spend it in this place, and it seemed improbable I would ever
go back to my own country?
Melannie now returned to her dwelling, which I subsequently found she
seldom left, except at night, which accounted for the fairness of her
skin. All festivals were held at night, by moonlight, and what struck
me as peculiar was the absence of fire. Fish and shellfish were eaten
raw, but many subsisted entirely upon coconuts and fruit, which grew
upon the island in great profusion.
The native city in which I now found myself consisted of a number of
dwellings of beehive shape, thatched with grass, and usually about
twelve feet high. The queen's house was about three times as large as
the others, and was placed in the centre of the town, with an avenue of
trees, and a clear space before it for tribal dances or meetings.
Ackbau also lived in a large house. On the reserve around the queen's
palace, the older men spent most of the day in gossiping, or playing
upon reed pipes, which furnished their sole musical instrument.
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