STRONG’S ISLAND.
His majesty King Tocasaw, alias King George, accompanied by his eldest son, the Canker, heir-apparent to the throne, and some of the most distinguished chiefs, came off to visit us and welcome us to their island. King George is a fine, intelligent-looking native of about fifty. His court dress, which is only worn on great occasions like the present, consists of—a red woolen shirt! Canker has the appearance of a shrewd, unscrupulous fellow, with a most rascally expression of countenance. He is second in command to the king. Cæsar, the king’s brother, is also an intelligent-looking chief, and appears to be full and running over with fun. We were much surprised to find them speaking such good English.
The next morning, on looking about us, we found ourselves in a most beautiful harbor, completely shut in from the sea, lying about fifty yards from the shore. The beach is entirely covered with cocoanut-trees, and the mountains, rising with a gradual slope, expose to view the brilliant foliage of the bread-fruit and mangrove trees.
This island is entirely surrounded by a reef, varying from a few rods to half a mile from the shore. Through the reef Nature has left an opening of about fifty fathoms, or one hundred yards, which admits of the passage of ships of the largest size. The main island is some thirty miles in circumference, and on the north side the shore forms a deep lagoon. Immediately in front of this lagoon is the “small island,” which extends from one extreme point of the bay to the other, being separated on the westerly side from the large island by a few hundred feet of shallow water, of not sufficient depth to admit the passage of a craft of any size, and this is bordered by the reef. On the easterly side of the small island is the passage.
The highest peak of the large island is about two thousand feet above the level of the sea. The king and most of the high chiefs reside on the small island, with many of their tribes, forming quite a settlement. We called at the palace to pay our respects to his majesty. He appeared very pleasant and kind to us, and, after presenting us to the queen and two princesses present, set before us such fruit as the island produces. The bananas that grow here are certainly the most delicious we ever tasted, being very small, and are called “sugar bananas.” The productions of this island are the cocoanut, bread-fruit, banana, mummy apples, dittoes, plantains, layees (a coarse species of banana), oranges, yams, and tarra. The bread-fruit serves as their principal food. It is rendered very palatable by being split open and baked, and tasted very good to us, after having lived on hard bread, “duff,” and “salt horse” for nine months. From the tree they manufacture all their culinary utensils and canoes. The island abounds in game, wild pigeons and wild hogs forming the principal part.
After partaking heartily of the fruit the king had set before us, we left, promising to call and see him often during our stay, as he gave us a cordial invitation to do so. We then proceeded to call upon some of the chiefs. On rambling over the small island we found numerous canals cut through in all directions, which at low tide would be nothing but small streams, but at high tide of sufficient depth to float the largest canoes. These canals, as well as some of the roads, are walled up from fifteen to thirty feet high. They are well built, and range from six to nine feet in thickness. We noticed many large stones, which would weigh several tons, placed in the wall some distance from the ground. There is something very mysterious about these walls and canals. As the natives know nothing about them, they say the Evil Spirit built them; and one of the most intelligent chiefs on the island informed us that the oldest records or traditions they have give no account of them whatever.
We also came in contact with what appeared to be the ruins of a large building. It was surrounded by a stone wall, six or eight feet high, on all four sides, with but one entrance, which was by stone steps. We then came to a second wall, somewhat smaller, but similar to the first; and, on ascending a few more steps, came to a level place paved with large flat stones. In the centre were two square deep pits, from eighteen to twenty feet deep, walled up with stone. The natives know nothing concerning this pile of ruins, and only answer your questions with the English word “Devil.” We think there is no doubt but that this island has once been the stronghold of a band of pirates, as every thing about it would seem to indicate. The admirable situation, beautiful and snug harbor, with but a small entrance, in which a vessel might easily be completely shut out from view at sea; the mild and salubrious climate—all these combined would render it a desirable rendezvous. This supposition is not improbable, as it is well known that the Pacific, years ago, was infested by herds of Chinese and Malay pirates, and these very natives bear a strong resemblance to the Malays.
About twenty-five or thirty years ago the island was governed by a king, who, from the accounts given by the chiefs, must have been a perfect tyrant; and during his reign two or three ships were taken and plundered, and all hands massacred. This tyranny had the effect of creating a rebellion, which was headed by Tocasaw, the present king. After a severe struggle the rebels came off victorious, and Tocasaw was crowned “King George.” He is very mild in his rule, and appears to seek the welfare of his subjects, who love him much. They are under complete subjection, however, and whenever in the presence of the king or chiefs, whether in the roads or houses, they immediately stoop low, and remain in this posture until he passes or bids them go about their business. The chiefs pay the same homage to the king as the natives. Even his own children crouch down in his presence, and bend their heads like so many whipped spaniels.
The queen is a small, shriveled-up old lady, and looks as though a good strong norwester would blow her away. She is a very greedy creature, and just as vicious withal, and is thoroughly detested by those who are so situated that they can speak their mind freely, without fear or favor.