to repeat, in a tremulous and agitated tone, "Nopo kilalo, mataku au” (sit down, I am afraid). A continued desire was manifested that our people should depart, and take the presents they had offered.

Every endeavour was made to quiet their fears, and to convince them that our people did not come from the sun; but nearly an hour elapsed before they were tranquillized. After this, they became more familiar; but their manners continued to evince the same mixture of timidity and friendliness that had been observed at Oatafu. They were induced to trade after they were quieted, when fish-hooks and knives were in great request, for which mats, fishing implements, model canoes two or three feet long, wooden boxes with covers, cut out of the solid wood, and cocoa-nuts, were given.

When the king had been presented with a variety of articles, he gave in return a mat and maro, after which he made a move towards his town, a few hundred yards distant, whither the whole party followed him. It was with difficulty that he could walk, in doing which he required the aid of an assistant. He at first objected to their accompanying him, saying it was "e sa" (sacred). The whole islet was covered with a grove of cocoa-nut trees, under whose shade about sixty houses were scattered, only a few yards from each other, and resembling those described at Oatafu, though better built and larger.

The most remarkable building was that which they said was their "tui-tokelau" (house of their god). This stood in the centre, and was of an oblong shape, fifty by thirty-five feet, and about twenty feet in height. The roof was supported in the centre by three posts, two feet in diameter, while under the place on which the rafters rested, were many short and small posts: all were very roughly hewn, and placed only a few feet asunder. The roof was concave, and extended beyond the posts at the eaves; the thatching was tied together, which, hanging down, resembled at a distance the curtain of a tent or marquee. All the sides were open, excepting a small railing, about fifteen inches high, around the foundation, which allowed the free passage of the air through. It was one of the most beautiful and pleasant spots, and is well represented in the opposite plate, from a drawing by Mr. Agate. They were at first unwilling that the officers should enter; but upon the explanation, that what was taboo for them, would not be so for the Papalangis, they were admitted by an old priest, but not without reluc

tance.

The edifice contained but little furniture. Around the eaves a row of mother-of-pearl shells was suspended, giving the appearance of a scolloped curtain. The whole was covered with mats. In the centre, around the largest pillar, a great number of enormous benches, or