Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-06-13

Cutler. who was not through with his
toilette, was left behind. As the wind
blowed toward the island, the ship dared
not 20 IN close TO the reef. hence the
crew had to row the boat long distance
to the place Of landing, and as the sea
had very heavy swell on, the rowing
was difficult, and we we're tossed about
considerably before we got through the
passage and reached the stone wharf Ia
front Of the village. Here was in fix
without an interpreter, as the lew SAINTS
temporarily located on the island while
fishing for shells soon gathered around
me at the house to which was iir~ con-
Quoted, but the native brother who was
our fellow passenger and who also
landed could talk very little broken
English, and | got along as well as
could with his services. ! also intro
duced myself to Mr.. Carl Hanson, a
Swede, and one Of the traders Of the
island, from whom | obtained several
particulars In regard To the ISLAND
Of Arutua, which is nearly circular
In shape and measures about fifteen
miles across lagoon included in most
places. The pass which our boat came
through is the only passage which con-
meets the lagoon with the ocean; It Is
deep enough for vessels OF twenty or
thirty tons burden only, and as the cur
rent often runs very swift and 1t Is On
the southeast or windward side OF the
island, the entrance Is very dangerous.
The little village, which is near" hidden
from sight in the cocoanu' grove lies on
a small motu on the right hand side as
we enter. The reef around the lagoon
is pretty well covered with vegetation
except ON the west and south where
there is considerable bare rect. Arutua
is noted for It's tine pearl shells, some OF
which are maryels Tor size. In one year
alone liSS6l fifteen tons OF shells " ere
fished out OF the lagoon; but this season
has been an unsuccessful one and all the
transient divers are preparing to leave,
as they cannot find shells IN paying
quantities. The cyclone Of 1873 de.
stfoyed most OF the trees Of Arutua,
hence the present beautiful growth Of
cocoanut trees consists mostly Of new
plantations. Arutua Is about ans miles
northwest Of Tahiti. That and the two
neighborng islands kaukufa and
Apataki were named the Palliser Islands
by Captain Cook.
Before lett the village Marerenui, a
brother In the Church made me pres
ent OF a line pair of shells, aud we re.
turned to the ship about shutdown, reach
ing Il with much difficulty. as the row.
ing had 10 be done against the wind and
high rolling waves.
friday, November 2Ist. We had
sailed to and iro all night, and when the
light OF the morning dawned upon Us
We were coasting along the west line oil
Apaliki, but just as the crew was getting
tue boat ready to 90 ashore, drench.
ing rain storm set IN, which continued all
day, and thus we we're compelled to
spend a very dull day In an inactive
manner at sea. Several squalls struck
the vessel which somewhat relieved the
monotony; but the real excitement OF
/ the day was the catching OF a large
/ sword fish ton the fish Incl which had
been 10 lowing the snlp tor some dis.
lance. The fish which weighed several
hundred pounds and was beautiful
| specimen Of his kind was successfully
hauied alongside the vessel, where he
was speafcd or harpooned almost to
/ death; but just rs the crew which was
considerably excited. was IN the act OF
lifting HIM bodily on board. the fish
made one last desperate struggle and
thus ierked himself loose from the hands
that held him and was lost, as he sank
In the ocean. II was too bad. We
could have got him just as well as not,