and I could not help wondering that some of the
games of those little savages should be so like to our own, although they
had never seen us at play. But the kites were different from ours in
many respects, being of every variety of shape. They were made of very
thin cloth, and the boys raised them to a wonderful height in the air by
means of twine made from the cocoa-nut husk. Other games there were,
some of which showed the natural depravity of the hearts of these poor
savages, and made me wish fervently that missionaries might be sent out
to them. But the amusement which the greatest number of the children of
both sexes seemed to take chief delight in, was swimming and diving in
the sea; and the expertness which they exhibited was truly amazing. They
seemed to have two principal games in the water, one of which was to dive
off a sort of stage which had been erected near a deep part of the sea,
and chase each other in the water. Some of them went down to an
extraordinary depth; others skimmed along the surface, or rolled over and
over like porpoises, or diving under each other, came up unexpectedly and
pulled each other down by a leg or an arm. They never seemed to tire of
this sport, and, from the great heat of the water in the South Seas, they
could remain in it nearly all day without feeling chilled. Many of these
children were almost infants, scarce able to walk; yet they staggered
down the beach, flung their round fat little black bodies fearlessly into
deep water, and struck out to sea with as much confidence as ducklings.

The other game to which I have referred was swimming in the surf. But as
this is an amusement in which all engage, from children of ten to gray-
headed men of sixty, and as I had an opportunity of witnessing it in
perfection the day following, I shall describe it more minutely.

I suppose it was in honour of their guest that this grand swimming-match
was got up, for Romata came and told the captain that they were going to
engage in it, and begged him to "come and see."

"What sort of amusement is this surf swimming?" I inquired of Bill, as we
walked together to a part of the shore on which several thousands of the
natives were assembled.

"It's a very favourite lark with these 'xtr'or'nary critters," replied
Bill, giving a turn to the quid of tobacco that invariably bulged out his
left cheek. "Ye see, Ralph, them fellows take to the water as soon
a'most as they can walk, an' long