One night while at this island we had a severe earthquake. It had been a most beautiful evening, and I had been amusing the chief with stories of my country. Just before bed-time we went into the house, got out some yams and fish to eat and had just got seated when we heard a loud rumbling noise. The chief jumped and ran out of the house and before I could imagine what was the matter, the food was going one way and I another. I started to crawl to the door, fearing the house would be down on me, for by this time I perceived what the matter was, but before I reached the door it was all over. The next morning I asked the natives what was the occasion of the earthquake. They told me there was a monstrous great spirit, who lived on the big island in a very deep cave, whom they called Bookeegodinga. He laid on his back with his knees drawn up, and his least motion shook the earth, and when he rolled over, which was very seldom, it made a great earthquake. None of them had ever seen this giant spirit, but some had seen his cave. They frequently made him presents of mats, tappah and oil, carrying them to the mouth of the cave and leaving the Umbaty to get him to accept them. I presume he knew what became of them. Shortly after this we visited the island of Cantab. We started in a large double canoe with about a hundred souls on board, and arrived about noon. The natives here showed the greatest respect to our chief, all sitting down on his approach, and remaining seated until he had passed. It is considered by them very disrespectful to stand when a great chief or king passes, or to talk loud on indifferent subjects in his presence, and it is sometimes punished with death. For such misdemeanor the offender must take an arrow or spear in his hand, and approaching the chief in the most humble manner, beg his pardon, and when the latter is satisfied that sufficient penitence has been shown, he grants his forgiveness. Sometimes for very great crimes, in addition to the above ceremony they are required to make liberal presents of whales' teeth. This is in cases of murder or for enticing away another man's wife, which is always visited with the heaviest punishment. This island had formerly been under its own government. The natives were great warriors, and had never been conquered until the people at Raver got muskets and subjected them, making them tributary to Raver. The Raver natives considered them very valuable subjects. I heard there was a white man residing on the other side of the island and asked my chief for permission to visit him, but he refused saying it was an enemy's town and the Raver people dared not go there. The fact was, however, that he was afraid I should not come back. While here we were supplied by the natives with provisions in the greatest abundance. We remained a few days collecting tribute, and returned home deeply laden with tappah, mats and coconut oil, which was divided among the chiefs according to their rank.