board, greatly increased their desire to hold
intercourse with us. They all appeared
anxious to make themselves useful, some
chopping wood for our cook, others assisting
the steward, in order to get what might be left
on the plates, others brought small presents of
fish ; in fact, all availed themselves of any
excuse to get on board; yet notwithstanding
the crowd, and the confusion attending their
movements, there was scarcely any thieving
amongst them. They have seen the detestation
that theft is held in by Europeans, and
the injury it does to trade, and have, in consequence,
nearly left it off. None but the
meanest slave will now practise it, and they
do so at the risk of their lives; for if caught
in the fact, and the charge is proved against
them, their heads are cut off!
On November 3d we visited Par Finneiffh O *
a village lying round the base of a lame O
conical hill, about three hundred feet hiffh
with a fortification on the top, which gives
it its name, Par signifying in their language,
a fortified place. Behind it lies a
swamp, which is covered at high water,
and which adds greatly to its security; for
the unsettled and warlike spirit of the natives
renders it absolutely necessary that they
always should have a place of strength near at
hand to retreat to, as they never know how
suddenly their enemies may make an attack
upon them. To the right of this swamp is a
beautiful valley, in a very high state of cultivation.
At the time I stood viewing it from
the summit of the hill, I was charmed with
the scene of industry and bustle it presented;
all the inhabitants of the village having gone
forth to plant their potatoes, kumeras, and
Indian corn. In the rear, and forming a fine
bold background, is an immense chain of high
and rugged hills, covered to their summits with
thick forests, and forming, as it were, a natural
barrier and protection to this smiling and
fruitful valley, while from their wooded sides
issue innumerable small streams of clear water,
which, meeting at the base, form beautiful
rivulets, and after meandering through the
valley, and serving all the purposes of irrigation,
they empty themselves into the E. O. Ke
Anga river.
c