Chapters V-IX Summary and Analysis

Twain relates a dinnertime discussion about the pronunciation of various Scottish words. The ship is still sailing to the south and the passengers view the constellations in the sky. Twain describes several of them.

Many slaves were recruited from the islands in the area until a law was passed saying the person had to consent. He tells the story of Captain Wawn, a recruiting shipmaster in this chapter and in Chapter VI. Twain relates how the missionaries opposed the slave trade.

Chapter VII finds the ship traveling among the islands. They are approaching the islands of the Fijis by mid-September. They dock at Suva. Twain relates the history of Fiji and how it was ceded to England in 1858.

In Chapter VII, Twain explains how the passengers cannot know everything about the places they visit. He likes talking to the...