ed at the foot of the hills was near three miles. This part of our
journey was through a delightful country, well covered with breadfruit
and coconut-trees, and strewed with houses in which were swarms of
children. We then proceeded along a valley, still among houses, with
plantations of yams, tarro, the cloth-plant, and their favourite root the
Ava: there were breadfruit trees on the sides of the hills which were
dwarfs in comparison of those on the low land. Our walk was very much
interrupted by a river, the course of which was so serpentine that we had
to cross it several times, being carried over on men's shoulders.

On arriving at a Morai I saw a number of the natives collected and was
informed that the priests were performing their devotions. Sixteen men
were sitting on their heels; in the front was a pole covered with a
plaited coconut branch, and before each of the men there was a number of
small pieces of the same leaf plaited, which they call Hahyree, and each
had likewise a piece round his wrist. One who appeared to be the chief
priest prayed aloud, and was answered by all the rest together: after a
few short sentences and responses they rose and each carried an Hahyree,
which they placed at the foot of the pole and returned to prayer: this
was repeated till all the Hahyree were delivered and then the ceremony
ended. I must not forget to mention that they had placed near the pole an
offering of plantains and breadfruit, which they left for the Eatua. They
very kindly asked us to partake of a roasted hog that had been prepared
for them whilst they were praying; but as I wished to make the most of
the morning before the sun was too high I declined their offer, and
Moannah bespoke refreshments to be ready for us when we returned.

We continued our walk up the valley, which became very narrow, and had
advanced a considerable way beyond all the houses and plantations when we
were suddenly stopped by a cascade that fell into the river from a height
of above 200 feet: the fall at this time was not great but in the heavy
rains must be considerable. The natives look upon this as the most
wonderful sight in the island. The fall of water is the least curious
part; the cliff over which it comes is perpendicular, forming an
appearance as if supported by square pillars of stone, and with a
regularity that is surprising. Underneath is a pool eight or nine feet
deep into which the water falls; and in this place all the native