CHAPTER VI.

THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.--APIA.--ITS POSITION AND PECULIARITIES.-- BEACH-COMBERS.--HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF SOME OF THEM.-- CHARLEY SAVAGE.--SAMOAN POLITICS.--ATTEMPT TO POISON MISSIONARIES.--FRENCH CONVENT AND SCHOOLS.--COMMERCE WITH SAMOA.--VISITING A NATIVE VILLAGE.--GAMES OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.--YOUTHS THROWING SPEARS.--MISSION COLLEGE AT MALUA.-- HOW THE STUDENTS LIVE.--PANGO-PANGO.--ADMIRAL WILKES'S DESCRIPTION.--ATTENDING A SAMOAN PICNIC.--DIFFERENCES OF TASTE.--MASSACRE BAY.--LA PÉROUSE.--HOW HIS FATE WAS DISCOVERED.--THE SWORD-HILT AT TUCOPIA.--LOSS OF THE "BOUSSOLE" AND "ASTROLABE."--VANIKORO ISLAND. 122