nes we heard loud cries from the natives who were still
engaged among the _atuli_, and three or four of them seizing spears
began chasing what were evidently some large fish. Presently one of them
darted his weapon, and then gave a loud cry of triumph, as he leapt into
the water and dragged out a large salmon-like fish called "utu", which
was at once brought ashore for my inspection. The man who had struck
it--an active, wiry old fellow named Viliamu (William) was panting with
excitement. Some large _gatala_, he said, had just made their appearance
with the _utu_ and were pursuing the small fish; therefore would we
please hurry forward with our preparations. Then the leader of the
entire party stood up and bellowed out in bull-like tones his
instructions. The canoes were all to start together, and when the ground
was reached all lines were to be lowered simultaneously; there was to be
no crowding. The white man and missionary, however, if they wished,
could start first and make a choice of position.

"No, no," I said, "let us all start fair."

This was greeted with a chorus of approval, and then leaving the women
and children to attend to the camp, we hurried back to the canoes. Just
as we were leaving the hut I had a look at the _utu_--a fish I had never
before seen. It was about three feet in length, and only for its head
(which was coarse and clumsy) much like a heavy salmon. The back was
covered with light green scales, the sides and belly a pure silver, and
the fins and tail tipped with yellow. It weighed about 20 lbs., and
presented a very handsome appearance.

The fishing-ground to which we were now paddling was not half a mile
from the islets, and lay between them and the outer reef which formed
its northern boundary. It consisted of a series of deep channels or
connected pools running or situated amidst a network of minor reefs, the
surfaces of which were, for the most part, bare at low water. Generally
the depth was from eight to ten fathoms; in places, however, it was much
deeper, and I subsequently found that there were spots whereon I could
stand (on the coral ledge) and drop my line into chasms of thirty-two or
thirty-three fathoms. Here the water was almost as blue to the eye as
the ocean, and here the very largest fish resorted--such as the _pura_,
a species of rock-cod, and a blue-scaled groper, the native name of
which I cannot now recall.

It must have been nearly ten o'clock when the canoes were a