he fruit of one of the largest and most magnificent trees
of our island. One nut will burn from five to ten minutes, according to
its size, and if they are pressed closely together upon the stalk, the
flame communicates readily from one to another, affording a tolerably
clear and steady light until the entire string is consumed.

To supply the place of Johnny's jacket and trousers, which are
completely worn out, Arthur has made, from two or three large strips of
cocoa-nut cotton, a garment resembling the South American "poncho,"
being a loose wrapper, with a circular aperture through which the head
of the wearer is to be thrust. It is by no means an elegant article of
apparel, and Johnny was at first inclined to look upon it with
disfavour. But upon being informed that it was in all respects, except
the material of which it was made, like the "tiputa," formerly worn by
the Tahitian chiefs and men of note, he became fully reconciled to it.

These, (which I mention merely as a sample of our industrial labours),
and similar tasks, furnish us occupation during the day. As soon as it
gets dark, we set out the broken-legged table in the middle of the room,
and lighting three or four skewers of candle-nuts, amuse or employ
ourselves in a variety of ways. Browne and Morton frequently sit down
to a game of chess, or seizing a couple of Max's "Feejee war-clubs,"
practise the broad-sword exercise, in which Browne, who has some skill
in fencing, occasionally gives lessons to the rest.

Arthur has opened an evening-school, in which he teaches Eiulo reading
and writing, and gives Johnny instruction in botany and conchology,
using his "herbarium," and Johnny's collection of shells, for the
purpose of illustration. He also writes a good deal, and asks Eiulo
many questions respecting the customs, ceremonies, and traditions of
Tewa. Occasionally, during such conversations, when he makes a note of
something new or striking, Max laughs, and says, that in addition to the
great work on the botany of Polynesia, Arthur designs to enlighten the
world with a learned treatise on the "Traditions and Superstitions of
the South-Sea Islanders."

Johnny either re-arranges his "collection," or plays jack straws with
Eiulo, or devotes himself to the education of the parrot.

As for me, I have hitherto amused myself during the evenings in writing
up "the narrative," and occasionally reading portions of it aloud,
claiming, however, the privileg