The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-09-27
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.

letters written Ly Mr.. . q passenger in the
schr. Far VS.. giving an account of the cruise
Of that vessel. The letters (oc which we copy the
following possess q yivacity and interest hardly
inferior To the writings Of Melville, and We cannot
but hope that the author Will present them to the
public in a more permanent form.
Jotfinx- Of a Crni-e in the Pacifc.-No. D.
Three hundred miles southeast from GarIner's,
l. q group Ofthree islands-tbe Union, or Toxic
lau group. They are embraced within the raral-
lelso : : 30 and 9 "a South latitude. and III :
81 70 l72o 80 West longitude. The northwest
ernmost Is called the ..Duke Of York or ..Oata-
fu, in the native language: next. and southeast.
comes the Z" Duke Of Clarence"-' NukunOno {:
and in a line still further 70 the southwark. is
" Bowditch"-'' Fakaafo"-the principal of the
group. They are all ogcOral formation, with large
lagoons: and being covered with cocoa-nut trees,
they are populated TO their full capacity. The
total population of the group may be five hun
dred, of which Bowditch contains fully one-half.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLANDS.
II was on our fifth day from Gardner that we
came up 70 the Duke Of York. The dawn OF dav-
Light revealed the land fringed closely with the
graceful cOcOa-nut tree, the yerv form Of which
is ever associated with tropical life. As WI drew
in shore a couple Of canoes were made out ap-
preaching. Curiosity was ON tip-toe. We were
to make our introduction to people celebrated in
history and song 70 people who have been charg-
- wa "a M VI STU ' TAX IIl
baby pot-pie. We were entering the seas that
once fioated the "SOuth Sea Bubble" Some
where in these regions is the isle of the Lillipu-
tians, if the veritable Gulliver was not nightly
out in his reckoning-and might we not be the
favored ones TO reopen it TO the commerce of the
world.
TIE NATIVES.
The first interview d~iSsipated Lilliputians IDEAS.
but kindled our curiosity. The canoeS-made of
pieces Of wood Joined with wonderful skill, long,
narrow, and with out-riggerS-camc shooting
through the water. each propelled by two men.
who could handle paddles 10 good advantage. I'M
trammeled rs they were with clothing. They
were lighter co!ured than our Hawaiians, tall.
muscular, and good natuTed in appearance and
their actions were all friendly. As soon as within
ear-shOt, they commenced shouting fqAfa. miH
expressions of friendship-and stretched out
their hands 10 shake ours on coming alongside. all
the while pouring forth a stream of iargon utter
~ unintelligible. but expressive ofhappy feelings.
to Judge from the way their eyes glistcned, and
tie laughs that showed matchless teeth. They
endeavOred to prevail on Us to go closer in. but
falling IN that, started for shore after awhile,
Promising by signs to return soon. And they
did, and with a fleet of canoes. all loaded down
with naked men-a force of twenty-five or thirty.
We aboard were only fourteen-a decided minor
ity-but rs we had a number ofrevolvers. giving
a blow more 70 be dreaded than Heenan's left
handler. together with plenty ofsharp knives, and
as our visitors looked wonderfully gOod-natured.
and showed no offensive weapons, we allowed
them TO come alongside and swarm over on our
deck.
The Ariki chief was pointed out to us the first
thing, as the one to be honOred before all others.
lie was an old man, with rather an intelligent
cOuntcnance. and wore a marc of superior size and
workmanship to those worn by his subjects.
Otherwise there was no hedge about his royalty;
he handled Il paddle with the commonest, and
was as eager at q trade. They brought shells
but few pearl shells-cocoanut oil in small guam
titles; fish hooks, which they manufacture out Of
shell and wOOd-uucOuth things. that seem use
less for any practical purpOse-and fish lines.
made out of the fibre of the cocoanut leaf, | be
in exchange, were anxious To obtain
cloth, Yankee fish hooks. tobacco, and carpenter
lng tools. Tools they desired very much, for
boat building, Is all work ut wood was slow and
with their rude implements of stone
and sharks teeth: but unfortunately we had
none 70 spare.
With the other articles, however. we were sup
Piled, and a brisk trade WAS kept up for an hour
Or two. The poor wretcheS had nothing of any
value TO dispose Of. The shells were far inferior
10 those obtained in the East Indies and Mediter-
'anean and their fish hooks and lines of course
were worthless, but as curiOsities; still, we con-
-inued 10 barter away our valuables, out of pity,
md very proud and happy and rich felt he who
'ould get Il fathom of bright-colored calico to pre-
to his dusky mate ashore, Il few of the fish
hooks. 50 slight, sharp, and strong, and 4 little
with a pipe 10 smoke it in. They were
.ager to shake us 10y the hand. 10 press Us to their
,il-smeared, naked breasts. and even to express
he warmth of their feelings by rubbing noses:
md all the time they iabbered and laughed and
ushed around To examine the vessel in every part,
nd peered down the companion-way. into the
sabin, whence issued forth such rich stores of
foods.
VISIT ASHORE.
So friendly and harmless did they appear. we
oncluded a visit ashore would be safe. We were
urious to see the female portion of the population,
heir dresses and their style of living. So with
rms in a useable condition, and a few presents as
propitiatory Offering, we started in our boat,
aking the Ariki with us. Some of the canoes left
5 we did, but shot rapidly ahead, and our landing
7as all prepared for. Ii was ut an outlet of the
lg0On, a channel through the reef affording a pas
age for the boat 10 a beach ofsand. \ few hun
red feet across the beach Il stately grove of palm !
arose, under the clear, shapely arches Of
'hich clustered forty or fifty huts. These were of
he simplest construction, being merely steep
hatched roofs. supported on four posts. and dcs-
to within two or three feet of the ground.
lacing one under the necessity of bowling humblv
n entering. Over the hard earth were spread
lats. serving for carpeting. bedding. furniture of
kind, unless wooden calabashes might come
the latter head. Then. overhead. suspended 4
the roof. Were stored the family possessions :
shing-netS. paddles. miniature canoes. valuables
btained from passing whalcrs.
The value ola homestead ana its contents wonld
OF paya SherifTs attachment fees. Ignorant ,
They know nothing of Sherifs. or bank l
laws. or Police Courts. 1
The residence of the Ariki. whittier we were
rst taken. seemed nowise superior TO those sur
,undinS- Republican simplicity prevailed: in
Fed. the mere title semed to embrace all the
Of the Office. 4
Our first giimTseata female was through n leafv Y
sly one at u shy 0ne-f0r we were eau
Gus not to offend in the slightest the people at
hose mercy we now were. and whose feelings of
alousy might be easily aroused. But. after rest
z n little in a hut. and slipping. leisurely, the
soft. sweet. indeScribably luscious milk of the