THE ISLAND OF PUYNIPET.
Native boats in sight.--A pilot comes on board--Communications
of a white settler.--Another pilot.--Fruitless attempts to tack
for the island.--Roankiddi Harbour.--Extreme difficulty in
effecting a landing with the boats.--Settlement of Rei.--Dr.
Cook.--Stroll through the forest.--Excursions up the Roankiddi
River.--American missionaries.--Visit from the king of the
Roankiddi tribe.--Kawa as a beverage.--Interior of the royal
abode.--The Queen.--Mode of living, habits and customs of the
natives.--Their religion and mode of worship.--Their festivals
and dances.--Ancient monumental records and their probable
origin.--Importance of these in both a historical and geological
point of view.--Return on board.--Suspicious conduct of the
white settler.--An asylum for contented delinquents.--Under
weigh for Australia.--Belt of calms.--Simpson Island.--"It must
be a ghost!"--Bradley Reef.--A Comet.--The Solomon Islands.--
Rencontre with the natives of Malayta.--In sight of Sikayana. 551