much in the same way as those of our little boat were put together;
but the part that seemed most curious to us was a sort of out-
rigger, or long plank, which was attached to the body of the canoe
by means of two stout cross beams. These beams kept the plank
parallel with the canoe, but not in contact with it, for it floated
in the water with an open space between; thus forming a sort of
double canoe. This we found was intended to prevent the upsetting
of the canoe, which was so narrow that it could not have maintained
an upright position without the out-rigger. We could not help
wondering both at the ingenuity and the clumsiness of this
contrivance.

When the canoe was ready, we assisted the natives to carry the
prisoners into it, and helped them to load it with provisions and
fruit. Peterkin also went to the plum-tree for the purpose of
making a special onslaught upon the hogs, and killed no less than
six of them. These we baked and presented to our friends on the
day of their departure. On that day Tararo made a great many
energetic signs to us, which, after much consideration, we came to
understand were proposals that we should go away with him to his
island; but, having no desire to do so, we shook our heads very
decidedly. However, we consoled him by presenting him with our
rusty axe, which we thought we could spare, having the excellent
one which had been so providentially washed ashore to us the day we
were wrecked. We also gave him a piece of wood with our names
carved on it, and a piece of string to hang it round his neck as an
ornament.

In a few minutes more we were all assembled on the beach. Being
unable to speak to the savages, we went through the ceremony of