The herald., 1895-07-28

located high above. with narrow. zg.zag
paths leading down to the water, where
she children were swimming and ths
women Eg-contented-looking pros
porous villages. with their grass huts and
surrounding patches OF dalo yam. and
occasionally small banana plantations.
This was all very beautiful and often
unique, but physical discomfort made me
gradually overlook the romantic side of
the picture. In my cramped position my
bones began to fairly ache. Besides, the
sun w:s beating down with truly tropical
foIce and hardly breath Of air was stir
ring. As we slowly crept along. hugging
first one bank and then the other. where-
ever the water hap ened to be most shall
low. slight relief from the heat would
sometimes be found in the shades of the
overahnging cliffs, but this would prove
of only short duration. Old Sol was per-
sistent, aud chose me as a victim for tor
ture. 1t finally reached a point where l
could stand it no longer. There was a
small island Immediately ahead. and as
it was already past O'Clock 1 suggested
to the boys that we ''kike" (eat.) This
welcome invitation was readily assented
to and soon we were ashore. the canoe
having been lifted nalf-length onto the
sandy beach. While the lunch was being
prepared | hastily removed my civilized
cloJhing and put on the sulu, which had
been among my purchases at Varia. We
threw ourselves under the sheletr OF an
immense tree and began munching away
at the dry biscuits and gorging upon
tin ned beef. Up to this time the skies
had been clear. but suddenly a great
black bank of clouds formed dire city over
mead and the rain fell in torrents. Sheets
OF water, not drops. came down, as if a
sluice haa been opened from above. The
river bubbled and fairly splashed IN wave
let's and the canoe was soon full to over
rs l..
buried in the sands and covered over with
rocks and pebbles and thus escaped q
wctting. which we did not. The shower
lasted for short time, and then all was
batned in sunshine once more. Refresh
ed and rested we Tecnmmenced the Jour-
ney. A strong breeze was now blowing
directly in our teeth. and in consequence
tho progress made was slower than ever.
10 looked Very disconsolate and unhap.
py. Contrary winds ana currents furi cd
him to energy, and this was distinctly
repugnant to his spirit. With very push
he would give grunt of dissa tisfaction,
and then would sadly look at me. In
glanced away from me. With that un-
natural squint in his left eye, he would
fercely gaze back with his right. II at
any time ! changed my position ever so
slightly Jo would follow every movement
with jealous anxiety. 1t was apparent
that 10 considered me curiosity, and
was waiting to see soma singular and un-
usual act on my part. Not being accus-
toned to such close scrutiny. 1 began to
feel very uncomfortable.
In my endeavor to appear unconcerned.
l only made matters worse, FOR 10 was
mislead by my assumed indifference. and
only looked the harder. Finally | began
to glover equally ferociously. but this did
not discomfort him in the least. He con-
sidered this one of my strange. American
freaks. and was evidently expecting fur
ther developments. Finding him incor-
riglble. l determined to become impolite.
ard so turned my back to him and faced
Peni. Some instinct told me that 10 had
not taken the hint and was still watching
me as Iigidly as before. 1t may seem
foolish that should object TO peins thus
stared at py hardness Polynesian, es-