the fish.
Lay's master inquired of me very particularly respecting my master,
and the quantity of fish we caught. I then returned to the canoe,
carrying the cocoanuts, to deposite in the hold. My master asked me
where I got them; I told him Lay's master gave them to me. If this
minute detail should appear unimportant to the reader, he may draw a
moral from it; for it evinces that my master was like other masters,
desirous to know if his servant came honestly in possession of the
cocoanuts. He then ordered me and his son to launch the canoe, which
we did, got under sail for the Island we left the day before, and
arrived back at night. We learned that during our absence the natives
had caught a considerable quantity of fish; and in a few days we
caught a large quantity more; loaded our canoe, and embarked for one
of the head Islands to pay a visit, where we stopped some time. On our
return, we commenced catching a kind of fish called by the natives
_kierick_. They are about the size of a small codfish; and the manner
of taking them is very curious--they make a line of the husk of
cocoanuts, about the size of a cod line; they then in the canoe pass
round the fish to the windward of the flat, then lie to till a
considerable quantity of them get on the flat, then square away by the
wind and run down and go round the flat with this line, and thus
catch them, men, women, and children being employed. I have known
them catch one hundred at a draught. The fish are afraid of the line,
and when enclosed, taken by a scoopnet. After taking a sufficient
quantity, they go on shore to prepare for cooking them, which is done
by digging a large hole in the earth, filling it with wood, covered
with stones. The wood is then consumed, which heats the stones--the
fish are wrapped in leaves to prevent them from falling to pieces,
then covered with green leaves, and cooked by the heat of the stones.
About an hour is required to cook them sufficient for eating. Their
manner of curing fish, is, to split them and dry them in the sun,
without using salt. Thus cured, they will keep some time. While we
were employed in fishing, Lay came to the Island, in company with a
native, to visit me; but did not stay long, for the chief sent for
him, fearing, as I afterwards found out, that they should lose us.
From some hints that had been dropped, a report had got in
circulation that my master and Lamawoot, (Lay's master,) intended to
leave their Islands, an