with
pleasure. Their singular conduct on this occasion not a little puzzled me
at the time, and imparted to subsequent events an additional mystery.

The islanders were now to be seen hurrying along the path which led to the
sea. I shook Toby warmly by the hand, and gave him my Payta hat to shield
his wounded head from the sun, as he had lost his own. He cordially
returned the pressure of my hand, and, solemnly promising to return as
soon as the boats should leave the shore, sprang from my side, and the
next minute disappeared in a turn of the grove.

In spite of the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon my mind, I could
not but be entertained by the novel and animated sight which now met my
view. One after another, the natives crowded along the narrow path, laden
with every variety of fruit. Here, you might have seen one, who, after
ineffectually endeavouring to persuade a surly porker to be conducted in
leading-strings, was obliged at last to seize the perverse animal in his
arms, and carry him struggling again his naked breast, and squealing
without intermission. There went two, who at a little distance might have
been taken for the Hebrew spies, on their return to Moses with the goodly
bunch of grapes. One trotted before the other at a distance of a couple of
yards, while between them, from a pole resting on their shoulders, was
suspended a huge cluster of bananas, which swayed to and fro with the
rocking gait at which they proceeded. Here ran another, perspiring with
his exertions, and bearing before him a quantity of cocoa-nuts, who,
fearful of being too late, heeded not the fruit that dropped from his
basket, and appeared solely intent upon reaching his destination, careless
how many of his cocoa-nuts kept company with him.

In a short time the last straggler was seen hurrying on his way, and the
faint shouts of those in advance died insensibly upon the ear. Our part of
the valley now appeared nearly deserted by its inhabitants, Kory-Kory, his
aged father, and a few decrepid old people being all that were left.

Towards sunset, the islanders in small parties began to return from the
beach, and among them, as they drew near to the house, I sought to descry
the form of my companion. But one after another they passed the dwelling,
and I caught no glimpse of him. Supposing, however, that he would soon
appear with some of the members of the household, I quieted my
apprehensions, and waited patiently to see him ad