the expedition with which the preliminaries were
got through with, reminded me of those eager races to "the pond," on the
letting out of the village school at home, of a hot summer afternoon, in
which several of our present company had often been competitors for the
honour of being "the first one in." Arthur warned us to beware of
sharks, and to keep a vigilant look-out for "back fins," and our dread
of those prowling and rapacious monsters, was a great drawback to the
enjoyment of our bath. In all the feats and dexterities of the
swimmer's art, Eiulo far outdid the rest of us, moving through the water
with the ease, rapidity, and gracefulness of a fish. After one or two
trials with him, in swimming under water, and diving for shells, even
Max yielded the palm, declaring that he was ready to match himself
against any land animal, but should for the future decline entering into
a contest of that kind with amphibious creatures.

Eiulo thought that this swimming in smooth water was but indifferent
sport and began to talk to Arthur with great animation, in his native
tongue, about the pleasures of "faahee," or surf-bathing, and the
exquisite fun of dodging the "manos," or sharks, among the rollers.
Presently he struck out into the lagoon, and before we could guess his
intention, he swam over to the reef, and, picking his way across it,
plunged fearlessly among the breakers on the outside. He stayed,
however, but a short time, and came back saying, that the "manos" were
altogether too thick out there, and that a huge blue one, had come near
seizing him in the surf, before he could catch a roller so as to land
safely upon the reef. When blamed by Arthur for his rashness, he
laughed, and promised that he would not incur the risk again. From his
frightened looks when he got back, I guessed that he had not found
"dodging the mano" such exquisite fun as he had anticipated.

Max presently desisted from swimming, in order, as he said, to "do his
washing," consoling himself for the hardship of being obliged to do
laundress' work, with the reflection that the necessity for such a task
would soon cease, as our clothes being in constant use, without the
benefit of a change, could not last long. Browne and I followed this
example, and having spread our garments in the sun to dry, resumed our
aquatic sports in the meantime. Arthur dressed himself and accompanied
by Eiulo, left us, saying that he would rejoin us in an hour at the