Indies. The tarro being
cleared of the outside skin is grated down, and made up in rolls of about
half a pound each, which they cover neatly with leaves and bake for near
half an hour. An equal quantity of ripe coconut meat is likewise grated,
from which through a strainer the rich milky juice is expressed. This
juice is heated by putting smooth hot stones in the vessel that contains
it, and the tarro is then mixed with it and kept constantly stirring to
prevent burning till it is ready, which is known by the coconut juice
turning to a clear oil.

Wednesday 25.

Iddeah was very uneasy today on account of her youngest child being ill.
She would not accept of assistance from our surgeon but said she had sent
to Tettaha for a man who she expected would come and tell her what to do.
These physical people are called tata rapaow.

Thursday 26.

This morning a man died of a consumption about two miles from our post. I
was informed of it by Mr. Peckover, the gunner, who I had desired to look
out for such a circumstance. I therefore went accompanied by Iddeah in
hopes of seeing the funeral ceremony; but before we arrived the body was
removed to the Toopapow. It lay bare except a piece of cloth round the
loins and another round the neck: the eyes were closed: the hands were
placed, one over the pit of the stomach and the other upon his breast. On
a finger of each hand was a ring made of plaited fibres of the
coconut-tree, with a small bunch of red feathers. Under the Toopapow a
hole was dug, in which at the end of a month the corpse was to be buried.
The deceased was of the lower class; the Toopapow however was neat, and
offerings of coconuts and plaited leaves lay on the ground.

The dead are sometimes brought to the Toopapow in wood coffins, which are
not shaped like ours but are simply a long box. This custom Iddeah
informed me they learnt from the Europeans, and is not very common, as
making plank is a work of great labour.

March. Monday 2.

When I landed this morning I found the inhabitants that lived near to us
had left their houses and retired towards the mountains; and was informed
that in the night a water cask, part of an azimuth compass, and Mr.
Peckover's bedding, had been stolen from the post on shore; the knowledge
of which had caused a general alarm. I sent a message to complain of this
theft to Tinah who did not come near me. About two hours elapsed, during
which time I went on board to breakfast and retu