Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/84

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72
OFF FOR HAWAII.

came to a halt, tethered our horses by the roadside, and proceeded to make ourselves comfortable on a grassy bank overlooking a portion of the harbor and the ocean beyond. The scene was beautiful, and we remained where we were for several hours, watching the ships come and go—curious craft, from Chinese junks to native sailing boats of which I have since forgotten the name. There were also native canoes, some made of a hollowed log and others of frames covered with skins, each with an outrigger, consisting of a log floating in the water and attached to the canoe by means of two or more curved bows. This outrigger, of course, prevented the canoe from upsetting even when violently shaken.

"The natives have the art of taking it easy down fine," observed Dan, as he arose and shied some small stones into the water far below us. "I believe the single motto of their lives is Contentment."

"Well, it would be a good thing if they could teach some of our people that motto," I answered. "I've heard our family doctor say that the majority of Americans were altogether too nervous and wideawake, planning and scheming constantly how to get rich."

"Like ourselves, for instance," laughed Oliver. "See how we are planning to make a fortune. But just now I am going to take it easy, treasure