have moved in the "nine circles"
of Polynesia.

Some time before the day fixed for our departure, we were busy storing
the gifts so liberally showered upon us by our eager friends. Hundreds
of bunches of bananas, many thousands of oranges, yams, taro, chillies,
fowls, and pigs were accumulated, until the ship looked like a huge
market-boat. But we could not persuade any of the natives to ship with
us to replace those whoso contract was now expiring. Samuela and Polly
were, after much difficulty, prevailed upon by me to go with us to
New Zealand, much to my gratification; but still we were woefully
short-handed, At last, seeing that there was no help for it, the skipper
decided to run over to Futuna, or Horn Island, where he felt certain of
obtaining recruits without any trouble. He did so most unwillingly, as
may well be believed, for the newcomers would need much training, while
our present Kanaka auxiliaries were the smartest men in the ship.

The slop-chest was largely drawn upon, to the credit of the crew,
who wished in some tangible way to show their appreciation of the
unremitting kindness shown them by their dusky friends. Not a whisper
had been uttered by any native as to desire of remuneration for what
he had given. If they expected a return, they certainly exercised great
control over themselves in keeping their wishes quiet. But when they
received the clothing, all utterly unsuited to their requirements as it
was, their beaming faces eloquently proclaimed the reality of their joy.
Heavy woollen shirts, thick cloth trousers and jackets, knitted socks;
but acceptable beyond all was a pilot-suit--warm enough for the Channel
in winter. Happy above all power of expression was he who secured
it. With an eared cloth cap and a pair of half boots, to complete
his preposterous rig, no Bond Street exquisite could feel more calmly
conscious of being a well-dressed man than he. From henceforth he would
be the observed of all observers at chapel on Sunday, exciting
worldly desires and aspirations among his cooler but coveting
fellow-worshippers.

The ladies fared very badly, until the skipper, with a twinkling eye,
announced that he had "dug up" some rolls of "cloth" (calico), which
he was prepared to supply us with at reasonable rates. Being of rather
pretty pattern, it went off like hot pies, and as the "fathoms" of
gaudy, flimsy material were distributed to the delighted fafines, their
shrill cries of gratitude were