After Eating Heartily, We Obtained Fire By Two
Sticks, And Throwing Ourselves Back, Puffed Forth Our Fatigue In
Wreaths Of Smoke.
At last we fell asleep; nor did we waken till the
sun had sunk so low that its rays darted in upon us under the
foliage.
Starting up, we then continued our journey; and as we gained the
mountain top - there, to our surprise, lay the lake and village of
Tamai. We had thought it a good league off. Where we stood, the
yellow sunset was still lingering; but over the valley below long
shadows were stealing - the rippling green lake reflecting the houses
and trees just as they stood along its banks. Several small canoes,
moored here and there to posts in the water, were dancing upon the
waves; and one solitary fisherman was paddling over to a grassy
point. In front of the houses, groups of natives were seen; some
thrown at full length upon the ground, and others indolently leaning
against the bamboos.
With whoop and halloo, we ran down the hills, the villagers soon
hurrying forth to see who were coming. As we drew near, they gathered
round, all curiosity to know what brought the "karhowrees" into their
quiet country. The doctor contriving to make them understand the
purely social object of our visit, they gave us a true Tahitian
-welcome; pointing into their dwellings, and saying they were ours as
long as we chose to remain.
We were struck by the appearance of these people, both men and women;
so much more healthful than the inhabitants of the bays.
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