The inhabitants are strong, robust-looking, and wear no dress of any description. The houses are similar to those on Strong’s Island, built of bamboo, very large and comfortable, but not kept over and above neat. Their ideas of good and bad are similar to those held by the natives of the Windward Islands of the Group; they have their evil spirits, or “Jentsh,” who, they believe, occupy the deep cavern; but, as females are considered harmless, none but they can descend the cavern and live. They are most expert thieves, and their transactions in this line would shame a London pickpocket. As a specimen: we bought some beautiful shells from one of these gentry at a reasonable price, and very carefully, as we supposed, knowing their weakness for _taking_ things, hid them. Presently the same native we had purchased of came up from his canoe alongside with another assortment, which he offered us. We bought them, at the same time remarking the great resemblance they bore to the ones we had just purchased, and proceeded to stow them away. On arriving at the place, lo and behold! the shells were gone, and, on examining closely, we found that we had purchased the same shells twice. The rascal had watched where we put them, informed another native, who had slyly taken them, lowered them to the former one alongside, who then paddled around the other side of the ship, and came on board with “more shell,” as he said. We were completely _sold_ as well as the shells, and, feeling somewhat indignant, procured a good-sized billet of wood, and proceeded to look for the canoe. But the rascal was too sharp for us again; anticipating punishment, doubtless, he wisely jumped into his canoe and paddled for the shore, leaving us to gaze after him, and laughing probably at the fine trick he had played us. This practice was universal; some of the men bought fowls twice, some mats, and other articles. We came to the conclusion that the example of the rascally beachcombers had not been without its influence upon these natives. [Illustration: GOING DOWN ON A SCHOOL.]