frequently, (after the natives in the hut were
all soundly asleep) take the opportunity and get out of the hut
unperceived, and climb one of those trees, (being very careful about
making the least noise, or letting any of them drop to the ground,
whereby I might be detected,) and take the stem of one cocoanut in my
mouth, and one in each hand, and in that manner make out to slide down
the tree, and would then (with my prize) make the best of my way to a
bunch of bushes, at a considerable distance from the hut, where I
would have a sumptuous repast; and if any remained, would secrete
them, until by hunger, I was drove to the necessity of revisiting that
place.

I made a practice of this for some time, until the chief began to miss
his cocoanuts, and keep such watch, that I, for fear of being
detected, was obliged to relinquish that mode of satisfying my
appetite.

A short time after this, I ventured to take a cocoanut off the ground
where the natives had recently buried a person; a deed which is
strictly against the laws of their religious principles, (if it can be
said that they have any,) and a deed which the natives never dare to
do, for fear of displeasing their God (Anit) under a certain length of
time after the person had been buried, and then, the spot is only to
be approached by males.

Not twenty-four hours had elapsed after I took the cocoanut, before
they missed it, and coming immediately to me, charged me with having
taken it, telling me that not a native on the Island would have dared
so much as to handle it, for fear of the bad spirit, (Anit.)

I then told them that I had taken it, but pleading ignorance in the
case, and promising never to do any thing of the like again, and
making it appear to them that I was surprised at what they told me of
the bad spirit, and also that I believed the same, they left me, after
telling me that if I ever handled another of them, it would not only
bring sickness and death upon myself, but would bring it upon the
whole Island.

The reader will naturally suppose, that my mind was considerably
relieved on their leaving me so soon, fearing that something serious
might be the result.

After this I was very careful how I did any thing that I thought would
in the least displease, or irritate them, and made myself content with
the portion they saw fit to give me.

I frequently fired a musket to please them, by their request; and
told them if they would let me have some po