The Daily bulletin., 1889-11-04
SOUTH SEA BUBBLES,
Interesting Account OF the. Trip OF
~. u, VI. y. Cormorant, from Ho-
nOlulu To CoquimbO.

tribution Of the toys and books which
the warm-hcarted people of Homo
lulu placed at my disposal ] will en-
dcovor TO redeem my promise.
Our departure on the 22nd May
last, will long remain in our minds,
1t was almost like leaving home so
pleasant had been our stay, and we
all felt much pleased that such a
parting was accorded us. We have
photographs of the group on the
Eleu, which accompanied us. The
beautiful song Aloha Oe sung by
the Hawaiian band, gave us quite
a lump in the throat, and so with all
good wishes to the people of these
islands we left.
Arrived at Palmyra | sland on the
2Sth, found no people.
Arrived at Washington Island on
the 29th, found sixty-ilve people
here, one white man. Found that
the manufacture of copra is sus-
pended and that the whole nuts are
to be shipped to Frisco. Next day
arrived at Tanning. Saw large
three-masted American schooner in
side the lagoon. Were told that
there are fifty thousand tons of
guano on this island which is shortly
10 be worked. Did not distribute
anything on either of these islands
as they have frequent communica-
tion with Honolulu, and their owner
resides on them.
Arrived at Christmas Island on
the 1st of June. Found brigan-
tine, the Saucy Jack, belonging to
Auckland. There is a very inter-
esting account of this island in
Findlay's North Pacific Directory.
Among other items there is given
the experience of an American,
Capt. Hooper, who was here in
1858. He says that in the large
lagoon he noticed that the fish were
all lying dead at the bottom. Also
on the lee shore of the lagoon the
fisl, were piled up in state of pre-
servation. On being broken in two
they were as sweet and wholesome
as possible. He adds that the wa
ter of this lake is extremely salt,
and stronger than any pickle ever
used in curing fish or meat. We en-
quired about this and found that
the picking action was no longer
noticed, but that pieces of coral
thrown into the water would float
for an hour. We found that men,
5 women and children were the in.
habltants, but that in q few days
they would be reduced to 2 men,
women and l small boy, one Eng
lishman, the others Polynesians
There would then be no commune
cation with the outer world for foul
or FIVE months. Planting nuts ant
cotton is the occupation of thos'
who stay. l gave Mr.. Dean sundry
newspapers, magazines and illustra
tions, and variety of toys for hi
small son, including a pig puzzle
(must spread civiIization). L ex
planned how they were contributed
Master Tommy w. of Honolulu ha
thus given pleasure to this islanC
waif.
When we were at Maiden Islan(
in 1887, the manager there told m
of very curious trait among tn
workmen on that island. They ar
natives of Savage Island, and h
said that whenever two parties met
after long separation, they invari
ably had most vigorous free fight
afterwards becoming very amicabIe
The name was given by Cook be
cause the natives greeted his com
ing by hideous yells and brandish
ing spears. But this is only thei
mode Of showing joy, as l was as
sured by Mr.. B., passenger in tn
Saucy Jack, some time resident o.
Savage Island. He told me tina
three years ago a native arrive,
back to the island after an absenc
of twenty years. He was one o
one hundred who were kidnappe,
and taken to Peru. But five al
rived in Peru, ninety-fve dying Q
illness and grief on the voyage
The man remained in Peru abou
sixteen years and then was SNUG
gled away in a ship having Rare
tonga men as her crew. He remain
ed working on Maiden Island fo
over three years fearful of facin
his family, for his younger brothe
Benjamin, kidnapped with him, die
on the voyage to Peru. AT last
summoned up courage and went t
Savage Island. The women scratch
ed and bit him, tore his clothe:
pinched out the hair on his face an
head, and at the end of this hall
hour welcome he was covered wit
blood, and a piteous object. MI
b. tried to explain that there wa
no malice in these operations, it ws
merely an expression of the emC
tions such as would have given Dal
win food for another chapter in h
book on that subject.
l have never heard OF simils
trait among other natives. | ca
only liken it to what may be obser,
ed in rats. In our dockyards thel
is an official ratcatcher. He recei
ed fixed wage and a farthing fl
every tail he produces. He Sc