The fish are afraid of the line, and when enclosed, taken by a scoopnet. After taking a sufficient quantity, they go on shore to prepare for cooking them, which is done by digging a large hole in the earth, filling it with wood, covered with stones. The wood is then consumed, which heats the stones--the fish are wrapped in leaves to prevent them from falling to pieces, then covered with green leaves, and cooked by the heat of the stones. About an hour is required to cook them sufficient for eating. Their manner of curing fish, is, to split them and dry them in the sun, without using salt. Thus cured, they will keep some time. While we were employed in fishing, Lay came to the Island, in company with a native, to visit me; but did not stay long, for the chief sent for him, fearing, as I afterwards found out, that they should lose us. From some hints that had been dropped, a report had got in circulation that my master and Lamawoot, (Lay's master,) intended to leave their Islands, and embark for an Island to the north west, where the king lived, and carry us with them as a great curiosity. Lay was carried back to the chiefs--the head one sent an express to my master and Lay's to come and see him--they made preparations and set sail for Milly; where they were closely questioned respecting their going to the other Island, &c. &c. They denied that they had even intimated any such design; which was false, for I had frequently heard them talking on the subject myself, but kept silent, as it appeared to be a great crime for any to desert their Islands; and I feared the consequences of making it known.--They then parted in peace and friendship, and I and my master returned to our habitation. We then went to an Island to catch fish, and a disagreement taking place between two of the natives, about some trifling affair, the particulars of which I did not learn, one of them took a spear belonging to the other, and after breaking it across his knee, with one half of it killed his antagonist, and left him. The parents of the man killed, being present, laid him out on some mats, and appeared to regret their loss very much. They kept a continual drumming over the body of the deceased for two or three days; after which he received a decent burial on another Island at some distance from the Island where he was killed. CHAPTER IX.