302 AN ACCOUNT OF

places ; and every man , whose business ledhim near those appropriated to the women, wasobliged to make some particular halloo, which,if answered by a female voice, he could not goon, but either turned another way, or waitedtill the women who were bathing had left thewater.

About eight o’clock was their hour of break-fasting ; after which, if there was any councilto be held, the King met his Chiefs, and thecommon people went to their different occupa-tions ; at noon they dined; and supped soonafter sunset, usually retiring to rest two hoursafter. Though this was their common way ofliving, yet on occasions of public rejoicing, orfestivity, they would dance the greatest part ofthe night.

They had no method, that was observed, ofmeasuring time but by the height of the sun. —Their seasons were divided into the wet anddry, as in other tropical countries. They hadsome knowledge of the stars, having names forseveral of them, which they pointed out to our/people.

Every part of the Pelew islands, that theEnglish visited, appeared populous, though towhat extent of population they could neverascertain ; but probable conjecture might bfiformed , from Abba Thuele and his allieshaving sent out, in the last expedition again ftPELELEW, near four thousand men; nor had