"Give way, lads," cried the captain.

The oars fell into the water at the word, the boat shot from the
schooner's side, and in a few minutes reached the shore. Here,
contrary to our expectation, we were met with the utmost cordiality
by Romata, the principal chief of the island, who conducted us to
his house, and gave us mats to sit upon. I observed in passing
that the natives, of whom there were two or three thousand, were
totally unarmed.

After a short preliminary palaver, a feast of baked pigs and
various roots was spread before us; of which we partook sparingly,
and then proceeded to business. The captain stated his object in
visiting the island, regretted that there had been a slight
misunderstanding during the last visit, and hoped that no ill-will
was borne by either party, and that a satisfactory trade would be
accomplished.

Romata answered that he had forgotten there had been any
differences between them, protested that he was delighted to see
his friends again, and assured them they should have every
assistance in cutting and embarking the wood. The terms were
afterwards agreed on, and we rose to depart. All this conversation
was afterwards explained to me by Bill, who understood the language
pretty well.

Romata accompanied us on board, and explained that a great chief
from another island was then on a visit to him, and that he was to
be ceremoniously entertained on the following day. After begging
to be allowed to introduce him to us, and receiving permission, he