n the
long line of palms on the weather side of the island, which permitted
the horizon to be viewed, we could see that a squall of unusual violence
was coming. All the canoes were at once hauled up on the lee-side of the
islets, the huts were secured by ropes as quickly as possible, and every
one hurried under shelter. In a few minutes the wind was blowing with
astonishing fury, and the air was full of leaves, sticks, and other
_debris_, whilst the coco-palms and other trees on the islets seemed
likely to be torn up by the roots. This lasted about ten minutes. Then
came a sudden lull, followed by a terrific and deafening downpour of
rain; then more wind, another downpour, and the sun was out again!

As soon as the squall was over, I walked round to the weather side of
the islet with some children. We found the beach covered with some
thousands of _atuli_ and beautiful little garfish which had been driven
on shore by the force of the wind. We were soon joined by women carrying
baskets, which they filled with fish and carried back to the camp. On
returning, we again launched the canoes and started off again--to meet
with some disappointment, for although the _gatala_ still bit freely and
several eels were also taken, some scores of the small, pestilent,
lagoon sharks were swimming about and played havoc with our lines. These
torments are from two to four feet in length, and their mouths, which
are quite out of proportion to their insignificant size, are set with
rows of teeth of razor-like keenness. The moment a baited hook was seen
one of these little wretches would dart at it like lightning, and
generally bit the line through just above the hook. So quick were they,
that one could seldom even feel a tug unless the hook got fast in their
jaws. Taking off my sinker, and bending on a big hook with a wire snood,
I abandoned myself to their destruction, and as fast as I hauled one
alongside it was stunned, cut into three or four pieces, and thrown
overboard to be devoured by its fellows. Many of the Ellice and Tokelau
islanders regard these young sharks as a delicacy, as their flesh is
very tender, and has not the usual unpleasant smell. In one of these
young sea lawyers we found no less than five hooks, with pieces of line
attached; these were duly restored to their owners.

Another two hours passed, during which we had fairly good sport, then
the rain began to fall so heavily that we gave up for the day. We spent
the fir