Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15

"kalofa, frightening out the first "a" consid-
erably. Their language is soft and musical and
not difficult to acquire. a large proportion OF
the natives can read and write. and those able
to do so are fond OF writing poetry, defeating
IL 10 friend. During our stay at Apia several
odes and dedication pieces we're composed and
written by natives and presented to the various
officers with whom the writer's were acquainted.
FREQUENT BATHING
Is marked characteristic of tie Samoan
both male and female, but contrary to the gem
orally received idea. their bathing is done in
fresh water where practicable.
Not fnr from Apia. short distance up the
Vaisignano. the principal stream of the island,
was situated large and deep pool, bordercd
with volcanic rocks, and here could always be
found group of natives taking the daily bath.
Men. women and children all plunge in at
once without a thought of immodesty or I'M
proprieiy. As soon a white man would ap-
pear the native women would set up n wild cry
for "sOpo." ''sopo." meaning SOAP. The
Samoan substitute for this essentially civilized
product consisted Of thick-skinned orange.
the flesh OF which was charged with an exceed
inGly acid juice which. rubbed on the head and
body. was capable, with fresh water, of making a
plentiful lather, and seemed to possess the
the same detergent properties as soap.
HOW THEY DYE THEIR HAIR.
Although the native Samoan is provided by
local fashion has decreed that its color must be
changed to n seal brown and sometimes to a
dusty brick red. To effect this a smearing of
coral lime, Stacked in water is applied about
once a week and allowed TO remain over night
BY this peculiar custom the color Of the
Samoan head is quite different from that pro-
vided by nature.
whltcwash. is thoroughly. applied to the hair.
each particular hair being carefully smeared
until the entire head is a mass of white.
Unlike the Fijians the Samoan keeps his hair
quite short. Both sexes wear the hair in
pretty much the same style, save that the
extent as the men.
The men are, as a general thing. tall, well
formsd and muscular. and. was evidenced by
their aid In transferring the heavy guns of the
Nandalia and Trenton to the beach. they are
capable OF long and severe labor. and this is
the more remarkable when it Is considered that
their food Is mostly vegetable.
The work of removing the guns from the
Trenton was a very difficult undertaking, but
under the constant supervision of Lieut.. Com.
III. W. Lyon. the executive officer of the ship,
the work was accomplished without notable ac-
cldent and the guns, after being cleaned and
plugged. TO prevent moisture from lodging III
the riding, were parked ashore not far from the
beach, and together with the major part of
the Nandalia guns, were left for such DISPOSE
tlOh as tue navy department cnOse 10 MAKE OF
them A considerable portion Of the pay
masters stores were recovered from the Tren-
ton. but in a sadly damaged condition, having
been for some time under water.
An examination of the Vandalia by diver
disclosed the fact that the ship was full of sand
20 about two feet above the level of the berth
deck, so any attempt at getting out her stores
was useless.
REPAIRING TIE NIPsIc.
During these days of waiting the work Of pre-
pairing the Nipsic for voyage to Auckland
went steadily forward. jury rudder having
been completed in short time after the ship
got afioat.
Having lost her smokepipe during the gale
the Nlpslc managed to secure portion OF the
one belonging to the Vandalia through the
hard work, perseverance and skull of tue engi-
neer officers of the Nipsic and Trenton.
As the month OF April came on the anxiety to
get away from the scene of the wreck increased
In intensity, and the prospect OF that event
formed the chief subject of conversation.
No word, however, was received from Lieut.
Wilson, who. as has been said, was in Auckland
trying to charter a rescuing steamer, and the
danger of some serious epidemic breaking out
grew daily more imminent. So when rumors
began to circulate that the next Australian
steamer would take away many of the sur
vivors rs possible speculation was rife as to the
IorOhaila mn her aha uouil