The herald., 1895-07-28

lecting, for although a perfect stranger,
nc had been most obliging and kind TO
Inc.
The canoe was on tho river bank, ana
SO was the entire popniace, prompted oy
curiosity to see our departure. This wafa
lwauga) was eighteen feet long ana SIX
feet wide over all. The main body was
one immense log followed out. until only
an inch of thickness nad been let. FROM
fifteen inches in width in the center ~
gradually tapered to TWO narrow Poi,'o P"
at both ends. The outrigger OF sinniiar
shape. though solid, was nine lest long:
six inches in diameter in the middle, or
largest part. and was held in position by
cross pieces. These were securely fastened
10 the canoe and outrigger by tightly
woven sinnet wound around timner
spikes. The entire affair is constructed
of wood. for the sinnet is made from the
bark of trees. The craft appeared singu-
larly f,aiI and delicate as it fioated only
an incn above the water: Across the mar
row bamboo seats q large board was
pace for me to sit on. My limited i'm
pedimenta were out on similar coard
in front, The two 'boys" took their po-
sitions at either end. standing up and
using long poles for punting, as we were
going up stream and aginast swift cur
rent.
Amid much shouting on the part of the
Fiiians on shore, and after hearty
"God speed you" from my friend the
English trader, we were off at 8 in the
morning. The progress was comparative
ly slow, as we kept close to the shore, but
in nv delight at my novel and strange
surroundings / took but little notice of
the fact. 1t seemed like a dream, that at
last. after having had so many obstacles
thrown in the way, l should find myself
bound for the home OF the primitive ma
tive. and would soon be far removed from
the domain of the white man. In few
days we would be among the mountain
tribes who only a generation back prac-
ticed cannibalism to an alarming extent.
ana who. il reports were to be believed,
were anxious at this moment to throw
off the foreign yoke and return to the
good old days when no taxes had to be
paid, and no work had to be done save
the fashioning of spears. war clubs and
other rude implements of war. which was
looked upon as a plcasurable pastime.
| placed no credence in the silly stories
that my lite would be in Danger, as some
had told me, and felt certain that as long
as tine hand CT good fellowship was held
out that our reception would be cordial
and kindly.
The SCENERY as we advanced up the
Rewa river grew grander and bolier.
Both banks we're high and often cut into
rough looking. broken and uneven hills.
Perpendicular precipices OF volcanic for
nation now and then faced us, presenting
a grim and forbidding aspect. AS rule,
however. the same magniticence of rich
green could be seen on all hands. Nu-
merous slender threads of water trickled
down the walls of rock, shining like SO
many drops of silver. Falls of more
striking proportions were surprisingly
frequent. and in many cases extraordin
arily beautiful. the dashing spray assum-
ing delicate rainbow tints. One ca.cade
of regal magnifcence, some distance away
from the stream was passed. The
muffled roar could be plainly heard and
thick foliage as. seething, foaming, and
with tremendous leaps. 1t fought its way
down the jsgyed cliff of rock.
Many native villages came into view,