Year: 1871

]
live hogs, intending to visit other islands
until we had exhausted our own stock
When they were going for the hogs the
king, who had appeared very friendly, in
vited me, through the captain, to go ashore,
and on Darnsford's representing that there
would be no danger for me to do so, as he
held the dusky hostages, I decided would,
and accordingly got into the imperial ca
noe and went ashore with my tawny host.


"As we approached the shore l could see
that there was great excitement among the
natives collected on the beach, but pre-
sumed it was on account of white visitor,
and felt no alarm. AS soon as was ashore
the king spoke rapidly for few minutes,
in loud tone, and then, chief and about
dozen men stepping forward and bowling
obsequiously, they formed a regular escort
around me, and nodding pleasantly and
pointing to the interior, we started off.


For several hours we kept upa steady
walk then was so tired l threw myself
down to rest, and found my example fol-
lowed by the others. In half hours time
we resumed our march, now going up q
mountain and now through gorge until
l finally opened my foolish eyes to the fact
that I must be ten miles or more from the
ship and off in the interior with parcel
of grinning cannibals around me, not know
ing where they were taking me. came
to the conclusion l had made mess of it,
and so turned round to go back. Butwhich
way or where to go was the question. The
natives appeared perfectly willing to allow
me to proceed my own way, but did not
seem inclined to lead me any further. So
again sat down and stared at them, which
they fully reciproc ated, laughing as though
they had big joke on Snyder and l
feared 1 was Snyder.


"At last the sun went down, and finally,
worn out in body and mind, 1 fell into a
sound sleep, from which l did not awake
until morning, when found we had re-
ceived an accession to our strength at some
time during the night, of pair Of canni-
balls, who came with provisions. AS was
hungry, opened their packages without
word, and finding they had plenty of roast
pig and bread fruit helped myself with
out interference, and having satisfied my
hunger, and quenched my thirst from a
small stream, l amused myself trying to
find my way back, the natives appearing
entirely satisfied to let me wander at will,
although they kept me in sight all the
| time.


Finally, becoming tired Of my fruitless
attempt, Joined them again, and threw
myself on the grass Loading my pipe
went in for square smoke when had
got fairly started, offered them Whit,
and all that day amused myself by seeing
each of them in turn have a general clean
out of the system it was better than any
emetic l ever saw administered, although
they were game to the last man.


The next morning, soon after they had
awakened, messenger Joined us, and after
talking rapidly for few moments with our
leader, approached me and made motions
for me to go the way he came, and they all
started that way, made Hobson's choice
and followed, and a sharp walk for couple
of hours brought me to the landing-place.


"What was my astonishment on looking
around, to find that the vessel had disap-
peared, and was left alone. For few
moments l was unnamed thoughts Of
home, my isolation and the probability of
never being able to see civilization again,
crowded over me, and filled me with pain
full emotions, SO deeply that l could not
refrain from groans. Just then native
touched me and bade me follow him; un-
derstanding his gestures / did so, and in
fifteen minutes found myself near long
stockade of bamboo. We slipped through
small entrance wide enough for one man
to pass in at time, and found myself in
square, with houses enough of bamboo
matched with leaves to contain many
! thousands.


GAS soon as we appeared, we were sur
rounded with men, women and children,
who appeared to show great curiosity at
seeing me my color and dress drawing
forth many remarks especially from the
women, who gave me their particular at
tention. Although was greatly annoyed
by their attempts to feel of me, / had to
grin and bear it, walking along with all
the dignity and self-possession could
muster.


"Ina a short time we approached to hut
much larger than the rest, and the crowd
falling back as we draw near it, l entered
with my guide, who, pointing to curiously
carved block of wood which was evidently