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

CHAPTER III

THE SEGOND CHANNEL—LIFE ON A
PLANTATION

WHEN the tide rose, we returned to the yacht and
continued our cruise northward, passed the small
islands of Rano, Atchin, Vao and others, crossed the
treacherous Bougainville Strait between Malekula and
Santo, and came to anchor in the Canal du Segond
formed by Santo and Malo. This channel is about
eight miles long and three—quarters of a mile wide at
its narrowest point. On its shores, which belong to
a French company, is a colony of about a hundred
and fifty Frenchmen. The Segond Channel would
be a good harbour but for very strong currents
caused by the tides, which are unfavourable to small
boats; its location, too, is not very central. The
shores are flat, but rise abruptly at some points to
a height of '150 m. There are level lands at the
mouth of the Sarrakatta River and on the tablelands.

The Sarrakatta is one of the sights of the New
Hebrides, and a pull up the narrow stream affords
One of the most impressive Views to be had of tropical
Vegetation. The river cuts straight through the
forest, so that the boat moves between two high walls
0f leafy green. Silently glides the stream, silently

broods the forest, only the boat swishes softly, and
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