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May 14 – Clear and pleasant – heavy dew At 9:30 mustered at quarters. Commanding Officer inspected crew and ship. Went on shore with Navigator to obtain magnetic bearing etc. Came back in a hurry – saw over 3 scone heads stuck on sticks in an old field – The natives had a scrimmage while we were ashore – thus our speedy return to ship – Saw natives beheaded – foe threw head in air after it was severed from body, and held sort of war dance over it – then he smeared his own face with the blood from the head of his victim – They were uncivilized - Some speak English quite well – The men are tattooed from the hips down to the knees - Wear nothing but a cloth around lower part of body – women the same – exposing upper part entirely – children are entirely nude. They row about in canoes – Came aboard, and if you give them something to eat – they'll bring fruit in abundance. They have a fad for red hair and use some sort of brine to turn their hair red. Toward evening took a row in wherry (weary). Sent a detachment of Marines ashore to stand by and protect American Consul. Sent another detachment tomorrow. While I write this– 9:30 PM, I can hear them in a sort of war dance on the beach – not more than 300 feet away –



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