somewhat
imposing appearance, with its numerous public and private edifices
spread out along the shore, and churches and tall spires in their midst.
The coast had a barren appearance, very unlike the beautiful region
everyone had expected to find it, far behind the town the land rising
into high ridges, divided by deep and narrow ravines, amid which but
little vegetation was visible; while the surf in a succession of long
rollers broke along the reefs on each side of the inner anchorage,
threatening any vessel with destruction which might have parted from her
anchors.

The next day a portion of each ship's company got leave to go on shore.
Tom, Desmond, and Archie were once more together. As they pulled in,
they were highly delighted at seeing a party of the natives sporting in
the surf on their surf-boards; now they swam out through the breakers,
amid which it seemed impossible any human being could exist; then,
mounting to the summit of a huge roller, one of them would leap up on
his board in a standing posture, and glide down the side of the watery
hill, balancing himself in a wonderful manner. Another would perform
the same passage while sitting, or a third would throw himself full
length along his board. In the same manner they would return to the
shore, fearlessly approaching the surf, through which they made their
way to the beach. Some twenty or thirty young men and lads were thus
sporting together.

On landing, the midshipmen were assailed by the owners of horses, much
in the same way that people landing in European cities are by porters or
drivers of vehicles. The Kanakas, as the natives are called, were
habited in every variety of costume, some fully clothed, others with
little more than pieces of native cloth round their waists; though the
women were all decently if not elegantly clad in long calico gowns,
reaching from the shoulders down to the feet, generally of gay colours.
Both men and women appeared good-natured, and ready to laugh and joke
with their visitors. There was no quarrelling about the horses; the
midshipmen were soon suited with steeds, on which they hoped to enjoy a
pleasant ride. Their party was increased by Green, who had taken charge
of another set of youngsters. All being mounted, away they galloped
across the plain at the back of the town. They had not gone far when
they overtook a cavalcade of fair damsels, seated on men's saddles, with
long skirts fastened round their wais