'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎222] (331/496)

222
suppose it must either have been procured from ships passing, or it may
have been cultivated by them. The pipe was made of hollow bamboo
closed at one end, and was about two inches in diameter, and a foot and
a half in length: at the other, there was an oblong aperture cut in the
knot, apparently to fit the mouth: and near the part closed, a hole was
bored, into which the bowl was inserted. This was constructed of some
hard wood: it was three inches long, and one and a half wide at the top,
gradually tapering away to the bottom. Whenever the pipe was required
for use, the oblong hole was placed to the mouth, until by rapid suction
the tube was filled: the bowl being then removed, the smoke was inhal
ed through that aperture. Two or three whiffs only were taken at a time,
and passed round to the next individual. They were all very fond of
smoking, and seemed to relish much our Manilla cheroots, which were
constantly called for, but as constantly refused ; and had we not made
signs that all were done, our real stock would soon have been exhausted.
They w r ere certainly a merry set of savages, and seemed to enter with
full spirit into whatever fun might be going on. So friendly had they be
come that nothing would do as a conclusion to our visit but a dance; so
about a dozen of these naked savages stood up in a circle, and commenc
ed by making a most singular clicking noise with their tongues, shout
ing at the same time in a terrific manner, and striking their spears to
gether. They moved round at first slowly, but as they became excited,
so in like manner their movements increased, till at last their bodies
were thrown into such frightful contortions that they looked more like
demons than human beings. They continued this extraordinary per
formance for nearly half an hour, when they ceased and squatted down,
utterly exhausted by the exertion: it was a barbarous though ludicrous
scene, and caused much laughter. I really know not what it was intend
ed to represent, but should imagine, from their attitudes, it was a war
dance. The women sat around and enjoyed the sport as much as the
men: they were also very amicably disposed towards us, and were much
pleased at any act of gallantry on our part,—their loving masters not
being at all jealous of them, but rather to the contrary, for they fre
quently made unequivocal signs which plainly showed they wished us to be
a little more intimate,—but a privilege of this kind we could only reject
with horror and disgust. Their huts, which are enclosed by a paling of
bamboos, are circular, something in the shape of a beehive, with a small
door just large enough to allow a person to creep under : they are covered
with the leaves of palm trees and grass, the interior being perfectly des
titute of anything like furniture, except a few large bamboos or gourds,