[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

178 WITH NATIVES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

all day, but everybody enjoyed it. The dexterity
and cleanliness with which the carcases are divided
is astonishing, and is quite a contrast to the crude
way in which native meals are usually dressed and
devoured. We whites received a large and very fat
slice as a present, which we preferred to pass on,
unnoticed, to our boys. Fat is considered the best
part of the pig.

The lower jaws of the tuskers were cut out
separately and handed over to Palo, to be cleaned
and hung up in his gamal in the shape of a chandelier,
as tokens of his rank.

Palo is a weather-maker. When we prepared to
go home, he promised to smooth the sea, which was
running too high for comfort, and to prevent a head-
wind. We were duly grateful, and, indeed, all his
promises were fulfilled: we had a perfectly smooth
sea, and such a dead calm that between the blue sky
and the white sea we nearly fainted, and had to row
wearily along instead of sailing. Just as we were
leaving, Palo came to the bank, making signs for us
to come back, a pretty custom, although it is not
always meant sincerely.

Late at night we arrived at home once more.