The hair was then scraped off, very dexterously, with the sharp edge of pieces of split bamboo, taking the entrails out at a large oval hole cut in the belly, by the same simple instrument.  Before this, they had prepared an oven, which is a large hole dug in the earth, filled at the bottom with stones, about the size of the fist; over which a fire is made till they are red hot.  They took some of these stones, wrapt up in leaves of the bread-fruit tree, and filled the hog’s belly, stuffing in a quantity of leaves, to prevent their falling out, and putting a plug of the same kind in the anus.  The carcass was then placed on some sticks laid across the stones, in a standing posture, and covered with a great quantity of plantain leaves.  After which, they dug up the earth all round; and having thus effectually closed the oven, the operation of baking required no farther interference.

“In the mean time we walked about the country, but met with nothing remarkable, except a fiatooka of one house, standing on an artificial mount, at least thirty feet high.  A little on one side of it, was a pretty large open area, and not far off, was a good deal of uncultivated ground, which, on enquiring why it lay waste, our guides seemed to say, belonged to the fiatooka, (which was Poulaho’s,) and was not, by any means, to be touched.  There was also, at no great distance, a number of etoa trees, on which clung vast numbers of the large ternate bats, making a disagreeable noise.  We could not kill any, at this time, for want of musquets; but some that were got at Annamooka, measured near three feet, when the wings were extended.  On our return to Futtafaihe’s house, he ordered the hog that had been dressed, to be produced, with several baskets of baked yams, and some cocoa-nuts.  But we found, that, instead of his entertaining us, we were to entertain him, the property of the feast being entirely transferred to us, as his guests, and we were to dispose of it as we pleased.  The same person who cleaned the hog in the morning, now cut it up (but not before we desired him) in a very dextrous manner, with a knife of split bamboo, dividing the several parts, and hitting the joints, with a quickness and skill that surprised us very much.  The whole was set down before us, though at least fifty pounds weight, until we took a small piece away, and desired that they would share the rest amongst the people sitting round.  But it was not without a great many scruples they did that at last, and then they asked, what particular persons they should give it to.  However, they were very well pleased, when they found that it was not contrary to any custom of ours; some carrying off the portion they had received, and others eating it upon the spot.  It was with great difficulty that we could prevail upon Futtafaihe himself to eat a small bit.”