The Polynesian., 1841-01-30

winch l'Ic sun SIionC Wltn IL ulHHlinT Drllllut-
cy, rejecting many varied hucs upon the
dense MASSES of clouds beneath: strongly
contrasting with this, IL huge dark cloud,
columnar at its base, but spreading at its top
like the crown of Il watcrspout, hung gloom
lily over the other AT night, its appearance
was lurid, at times brilliant, as occasional
gets of fire were thrown up from the volcano
beneath, which was one of extraordinary
magnitude The blood-rcd lava could occa-
sionally be seen through crcvccs in It's sides,
glaring like the eyes of the baslisk. The
bases of these mountains were covered with
thick belts of forests as far us the eye could
reach.
The bay was open to the north, and cx-
tended some miles inland, confined on one
side by a craSgy, precipitous coast, while on
the other "a low, well wooded point made out.
The surf rolled heavily on a fine sand beach
1t It's southern extremity. Here Il large
number of fishermen were assembled, drag
gng Il seine over a coral shoal, one OF their
number rccting song, in the chorus of
which the others heartily joined. The wa
ter was alive with canoes, the occupants
being busly engaged in fishing.
The shore was verdant in the extreme :;
groves of lofty cocoa nut and bread fruit
trees, intcrspcrscd with the spiral pandanus,
dark green hou and graceful kuikui, (can-
dc-nut) dotted the landscape, while flowers
and shrubs even invaded the sea. Groups
Of matched houses were everywhere obscrv-
able, surrounded by little cultivated patches,
in which the farmers were ut their toll, be-
speaking a more than usual attention to ag-
riculurc. The miry beds of the Kalo
(Which by the way is much better substi-
tutc for bread, than the fruit of the Iyiocdr-
pus) bordcrcd the water courses, their lily
like leaves dropping gracefully over the
ponds, where myriads of nlulct were glanc-
ing their siIvcry backs in the bright sunlight.
Not far off, the CLASSY curve of a cataract
could be seen as it gIidcd over some basaic
rocks into deep and sunless basin beneath,
formed by an extinct crater, but now over
grown with vegetation. A rainbow archcd
the spray as it rose from the falling waters,
which continued tumbling and foaming amid
the rapids beneath, until it emerged near the
beach in deep and limpid stream. "A group
of urchns were tioIicking on its banks,
shouting in their glec, as they tumblcd each
other into its waters, while near by were a
party of maidcns, with garlands of flowers
or feathers wound tastciully around their
heads, bracelets of bone or shell on their
arms, dancing to the music of rude drum.
But what at once would have attracted at
tcntion, was the fair complexion and beauty
of two of the latter, and the light skin of one
of the boys, Il little fellow with scarce years
enough to run alone. A Difference, too, was
shown them by their companions, which cvi-
IDENTITY was the result OF mental and physical
superiority, as well as of rank.
Soon wcaricd with their sports, they made
a signal to three stout men who were waiting
their movements, and who Immediately came
forward, and knccling down, the young
chiefs lcapcd upon their shoulders, and were
carried to cluster of houses Of far better
appearance than their ncighbors, and stua-
ted in the centre of the town. A neat hedge
enclosed the whole establishment, which con-
sisted of separate buildings for eating and