We reached the shore just as the canoes were unloading, and in a few moments fifteen large turtle lay on their backs on the grassy bank, flapping and gaping piteously. These were an offering to the chief from the new-comers. They have mustered in great force. Fully three thousand people have assembled on this wild coast. They have come from long distances, and from every direction, to attend this meeting of such teachers as there are, and to beg that a larger number may be provided. They say that sixty towns are now without teachers. But the difficulty is to provide the men fitted for the work, most of the candidates being simply young students, not ripe for such responsible posts. About twelve miles from Nanduri there is a small but very picturesque rocky island, called Kia,—a bold mass jutting up from the sea. I longed to see it nearer, and the Frasers most kindly agreed to accompany me. The chief lent us his fine large canoe and capital crew, which included several of his own kinsfolk—stalwart, chief-like men. We started soon after sunrise, and a fresh breeze carried us over in a couple of hours. The island is a perfect triumph of careful cultivation. By nature it was only a huge mass of bare rock; but so diligently have its inhabitants filled up every crevice with soil brought from the mainland, that they have succeeded in growing so many palms and bananas, that now, when seen from the sea, this once barren rock appears positively fertile. We landed at a village where the chief was superintending the finishing of a huge mat canoe sail, which was spread upon the ground in the cool shadow of a group of old trees. Of course we had to go through the form of being received in the house; but on expressing a wish to breakfast beside the sea, we were invited to sit on the mat-sail, and allowed to be happy in our own way.