{"id":"01KG8AKWQH4CX4TWP54K42MK5H","cid":"bafkreids2vvgznnv7sw7ty3he6ko7t7okv5iv7cse5zyonzxw3fkkk7p4q","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":9777,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.153Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","start_line":9712,"text":"our companions, but rather drew up when introduced to ourselves. Eyeing\r\nus distrustfully, they whispered to know who we were. The answers they\r\nreceived were not satisfactory; for they treated us with marked\r\ncoolness and reserve, and seemed desirous of breaking off our\r\nacquaintance with the girls. Unwilling, therefore, to stay where our\r\ncompany was disagreeable, we resolved to depart without even eating a\r\nmeal.\r\n\r\nInformed of this, Marhar-Rarrar and her companions evinced the most\r\nlively concern; and equally unmindful of their former spirits, and the\r\nremonstrances of the old ladies, broke forth into sobs and lamentations\r\nwhich were not to be withstood. We agreed, therefore, to tarry until\r\nthey left for home; which would be at the “Aheharar,” or Falling of the\r\nSun; in other words, at sunset.\r\n\r\nWhen the hour arrived, after much leave-taking, we saw them safely\r\nembarked. As the canoe turned a bluff, they seized the paddles from the\r\nhands of the old men, and waved them silently in the air. This was\r\nmeant for a touching farewell, as the paddle is only waved thus when\r\nthe parties separating never more expect to meet.\r\n\r\nWe now continued our journey; and, following the beach, soon came to a\r\nlevel and lofty overhanging bank, which, planted here and there with\r\ntrees, took a broad sweep round a considerable part of the island.\r\n\r\nA fine pathway skirted the edge of the bank; and often we paused to\r\nadmire the scenery. The evening was still and fair, even for so\r\nheavenly a climate; and all round, as far as the eye could reach, was\r\nthe blending blue sky and ocean.\r\n\r\nAs we went on, the reef-belt still accompanied us; turning as we\r\nturned, and thundering its distant bass upon the ear, like the unbroken\r\nroar of a cataract. Dashing forever against their coral rampart, the\r\nbreakers looked, in the distance, like a line of rearing white\r\nchargers, reined in, tossing their white manes, and bridling with foam.\r\n\r\nThese great natural breakwaters are admirably designed for the\r\nprotection of the land. Nearly all the Society Islands are defended by\r\nthem. Were the vast swells of the Pacific to break against the soft\r\nalluvial bottoms which in many places border the sea, the soil would\r\nsoon be washed away, and the natives be thus deprived of their most\r\nproductive lands. As it is, the banks of no rivulet are firmer.\r\n\r\nBut the coral barriers answer another purpose. They form all the\r\nharbours of this group, including the twenty-four round about the\r\nshores of Tahiti. Curiously enough, the openings in the reefs, by which\r\nalone vessels enter to their anchorage, are invariably opposite the\r\nmouths of running streams: an advantage fully appreciated by the\r\nmariner who touches for the purpose of watering his ship.\r\n\r\nIt is said that the fresh water of the land, mixing with the salts held\r\nin solution by the sea, so acts upon the latter as to resist the\r\nformation of the coral; and hence the breaks. Here and there, these\r\nopenings are sentinelled, as it were, by little fairy islets, green as\r\nemerald, and waving with palms. Strangely and beautifully diversifying\r\nthe long line of breakers, no objects can strike the fancy more\r\nvividly. Pomaree II., with a taste in watering-places truly Tahitian,\r\nselected one of them as a royal retreat. We passed it on our journey.\r\n\r\nOmitting several further adventures which befell us after leaving the\r\nparty from Loohooloo, we must now hurry on to relate what happened just\r\nbefore reaching the place of our destination.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJMW602X7SZ24GKPCWTQJ","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKWQHSDQGASC02W5TCM62","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:19.185Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:31.938Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}