The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-03-31


when you want little "trade" to buy cloth
with, why take weeks turn at type-stick-
ing for the missionaries"
Here was another strong inducement
thrown out for me to commit what may
almost designate as the crime, Of deserving
the ship and the captain, who had so uni
formally treated me with kindness.
Phillips, although he had drank several
huge potatious with "Sydney Bob" did
not appear to be much affected, and after
an hours stay at the scene Of the debauch,
which was by that time getting to be fast
and furious, he, at my earnest request, bid
goodbye to the bacchanalians. and with
some difficulty we got away and embarked
on our canoe to cross the river to Phillips
house. As we neared the middle Of the
stream, long double canoe hove in sight,
coming up stream and rounding bend Of
the river. AT signal from the chief, our
rowers paused. As the other canoe came
up, few words were passed-after the
usual salutations-and then both canoes
proceeded to the landing in front Of Phil
lips house. The newcomer was deeply
laden with hogs, yams and fruits, intended
for one Of Phillips brothers, who lived
farther up the river. The produce was
sent as a tribute to him from one Of his
lands. But Phillips unceremoniously COB
bled up the whole and had it slowed away
in his own store-houses, sending his broth
ers people home again empty-handed.
This proceeding, / took the liberty of say
ing to Phillips, appeared to me as rather a
high-handed one. He laughingly replied
that it was Fiji fashion that whoever was
the strongest did as he pleased with the
weakest. My subsequent experience in
the world has proved to my satisfaction
that those islanders did not differ much
from the rest of mankind in the applca-
ton of the doctrine that might makes
right"
A day or two spent in this dolce far
niente style Of life, when we received in
telligence that the brig had anchored at
the mouth Of the river. So one fine morn
ing, we hoisted sail on our boat, and with
Phillips on board, proceeded down the
river to join our vessel. We were pretty
deeply loaded with tortoise-sheIl. and one
of the chiefs canoes was similarly laden.
Altogether we had about four or FIVE tons
of tortoise-shell, and about thousand
pounds Of sandal-wood. The captain was
well pleased with the results Of our trip,
and made Phillips, who had been mainly
instrumental in securing our success, very
welcome on board. He remained with US
three or four days, and enjoyed his regular
grog and pipe with all the gusto Of an old
tar.
Our cook was very black man, quite
old, native Of Salem, who having been
number of voyages with the captain, was
a great favorite with him, and consequent
ly was allowed extraordinary liberties.
Phillips and the cook got quite familiar,
and the former used to spend good deal
of his time at the galley door, spinning
yarns. But this sort Of pastime was sud-
denly cut short one day, by Phillips gravely
asking the old darkey to show him his tail.
The cook opened his eyes to their fullest
extent. and asked what he meant by ''tail.
why" said Phillips, quite seriously, II
have always heard that you black men are
nothing but monkeys, and have tails all
the same as them; but you are bigger and
can talk, and wear trowsers. so we can't
see your tails. Come, let me see yours"
The cook paused moment, and then his
rage burst forth in perfect torrent Of pro-
fame invective, and seizing dipper full Of
hot water out of his coppers, dashed it at
the retreating Phillips, who however, sue
ceeded in reaching the quarterback, un-
scathed, where sat the captain, convulsed
with laughter. 1t was himself who had
put Phillips up to playing of this joke on
the cook.
After the lapse Of about week from
the time when we left Rewa-town, Phillips
being still on board, the king, his brother,
and Nangariungio, his younger brother,
paid US a visit in state, in three immense
double canoes. None were allowed on
board except the chiefs, their families, and
their immediate attendants, and the ca
noes with their crowds OF occupants were
veered of astern, hanging by lines. We
had no reason to suspect any violence from
the natives, but the captain deemed it pru-
dent to take every precaution against sur
prise Our guests were entertained in the
cabin to the best of our ability, and appar-
emily much to their own satisfaction. The
fat old king, and his equally fat Afair and
forty" queen, drank their glass Of rum, and
munched their buscuit and salt beef, as
though they liked it hugely. Their two
children, a boy Of seventeen and a girl Of
fifteen, were two Of the finest specimens
of humanity not quite developed, that can
be imagined among savages. Tall. slim,