y resounded with savage outcries, and the
natives came running towards us from every direction.

Had an army of invaders made an irruption into their territory, they could
not have evinced greater excitement. We were soon completely encircled by
a dense throng, and in their eager desire to behold us, they almost
arrested our progress; an equal number surrounding our youthful guides,
who, with amazing volubility, appeared to be detailing the circumstances
which had attended their meeting with us. Every item of intelligence
appeared to redouble the astonishment of the islanders, and they gazed at
us with inquiring looks.

At last we reached a large and handsome building of bamboos, and were by
signs told to enter it, the natives opening a lane for us through which to
pass; on entering, without ceremony we threw our exhausted frames upon the
mats that covered the floor. In a moment the slight tenement was
completely full of people, whilst those who were unable to gain admittance
gazed at us through its open cane-work.

It was now evening, and by the dim light we could just discern the savage
countenances around us, gleaming with wild curiosity and wonder; the naked
forms and tattooed limbs of brawny warriors, with here and there the
slighter figures of young girls, all engaged in a perfect storm of
conversation, of which we were of course the one only theme; whilst our
recent guides were fully occupied in answering the innumerable questions
which every one put to them. Nothing can exceed the fierce gesticulation
of these people when animated in conversation, and on this occasion they
gave loose to all their natural vivacity, shouting and dancing about in a
manner that well-nigh intimidated us.

Close to where we lay, squatting upon their haunches, were some eight or
ten noble-looking chiefs--for such they subsequently proved to be--who, more
reserved than the rest, regarded us with a fixed and stern attention,
which not a little discomposed our equanimity. One of them in particular,
who appeared to be the highest in rank, placed himself directly facing me,
looking at me with a rigidity of aspect under which I absolutely quailed.
He never once opened his lips, but maintained his severe expression of
countenance, without turning his face aside for a single moment. Never
before had I been subjected to so strange and steady a glance; it revealed
nothing of the mind of the savage, but it appeared to be reading my own.

[I