like.

[Footnote 38: Tapa is a cloth made of vegetable fibre
and stained in various striking patterns. It is used by
the natives for clothing, curtains, beds, and many other
purposes.]

"The pig house, a most unsightly thing, is finished, and a creeper or
two will soon disguise its ugliness. There seem to be a great number
of mummy apples[39] springing up through the clearing, of which I am
glad for the sake of the prospective cow. Paul and I have planted out
a lot of kidney potatoes, which is an experiment only, as they are not
supposed to grow in Samoa. We have sowed tomato seeds, also artichokes
and eggplants, in boxes. A few days ago Mr. Caruthers sent us half a
dozen very fine pineapples, and as fast as we eat them we plant the
tops.

[Footnote 39: The papaw.]

"_October 6._ I have been too busy to write before. Much has been
accomplished. A good lot of sweet corn is planted, besides peas,
onions, lettuce, and radishes. Lima beans are coming up, and some of
the cantaloupes. Mr. Caruthers has brought a root of mint and some
cuttings of granadilla,[40] which have been set out along the arbor.
It seems absolutely impossible to get anything sent up to us from
Apia. Lists and notes go flying, but, except from Krause the butcher,
with no results. It seems an odd thing that there should not be a
spade or a rake for sale in a town where there would be no difficulty
in finding the best quality of champagne, to say nothing of all the
materials for mixed drinks. We have almost starved for want of
provisions until yesterday, when Ben killed a couple of fowls, a large
piece of meat came from town, Paul shot two pigeons, and Mr. Blacklock
came with fresh tomatoes. Afterwards Ben came with palusami,[41] and
now to-day comes a young native girl from Mrs. Blacklock with enormous
bananas, long green beans, a dozen eggs, and a bunch of flowers, and
Ben has come in with eight little parrots. It seems either a feast or
a famine with us.

[Footnote 40: A tropical fruit.]

[Footnote 41: A native dish of taro tops and cocoanut.]

"_October 7._ Last night it rained heavily, which was good for my
plants, but, as our kitchen is some six or eight yards from the house,
cooking became a series of adventures. I had set a sponge for bread
last night, and was most anxious to bake the dough early in the day. A
black boy was sent to the carpent