barter with the natives, and I accompanied the party, but, contrary to expectation, no one was allowed to land, the person in authority having seen something on shore to alarm him, the nature of which continued to us a mystery.  The second cutter laid off, and the first remained in water about knee-deep, surrounded by a crowd of unarmed natives.  The scene was at that time very animated—­groups of men, women, and children, were to be seen staggering under a load of coconuts, wading out to the boats, scrambling to be first served, and shouting out to attract attention to their wares, which in addition included some tortoise-shell, a few yams, bananas and mangos.  Siwai was present in the boat, and by exercising his authority in our behalf, matters went on more smoothly than otherwise might have been the case.  A large supply of coconuts and a few vegetables having been obtained for axes, knives, calico, and red cloth, we returned to the ship.

Bartering scene.

December 13th.

Three boats were sent to Kiriam to procure more coconuts.  There being no prohibition of landing, I remained onshore during the bartering, sitting in a shady place among a group of women and children, and employed in procuring materials for a vocabulary.  Most of them remembered me of old, and in consequence fancied they had a claim upon my tobacco, the stock of which was quickly exhausted.

Interior of A hut.

The huts of Darnley Island—­together with the inhabitants—­have been so fully described in the voyage of the Fly, that it is unnecessary for me to enter upon the subject.  The natives always objected to show to us the inside of their huts, many of which we knew were used as dead houses—­but Mr. Huxley today was fortunate enough to induce one of them to allow him to enter his house, and make a sketch of the interior, but not until he had given him an axe as an admission fee.  These huts resemble a great beehive in shape—­a central pole projects beyond the roof, and to this is connected a framework of bamboo, thatched with grass, leaving a single small low entrance to serve as door and window.

Human skulls offered for sale.

Several human skulls were brought down for sale, also a little shrivelled mummy of a child.  Some of the former had the skin quite perfect, the nose artificially restored in clay mixed with a resinous substance, and the orbits occupied by a diamond-shaped piece of mother-of-pearl, with a black central mark.  Towards the end of the bartering the natives had become very noisy, and even insolent, and everything seemed to indicate that some at least of them were dissatisfied, and inclined to resent some injury or cause of offence, for which purpose apparently they had their bows and arrows ready, and their gauntlets upon the left forearm.  Some of them desired me to get into the boat and be off, intended as I understood for a friendly caution,