March 23 1899, Hiking to a spring in the Marquises

Thurs. 223:- Passed the Washington Island on our left. Reached Taiohoe (the principle camers point of the Marquises group.) at 11 oclock A. M. After the a small amount of cargo was unloaded. Elder Hansen, Messers Barnet & _______  The Captin & I went a shore the captin for buisness the rest of us for cureosity. We were directed to visit the mineral spring, we started in the direction pointed out. We met an American Who put 15 Mar 1899 Pacific Ocean 1899 us on the right trail, we had went but a short distance up the narrow dugway trail when we observed four lively native girls following us. We had been told all maner of stories about these natives, of their luce carictor, of their luce delight at having feasts on the flesh of captured white men, therefore we were puseled to know what their intentions were. But not wishing to be atall distant with these merry dark skined madens we waited for them. We enquired of them (as we had been directed), for Cava vai vai’ they simply laughed and pointed on ahead. We thought we would follow them, thinking that such mery madens ment no harm. As we went on up the trail they kept straying of one by one, into the native huts located along the trail untill but one was left. We enqiured again for Cava vai vai 16 again we were directed ahead. We continued to follou the maiden. She soon turned from the main trail following a small path that led through to the brush across the crick on the large rocks that laid in its course. The maiden stoped at a small stream of watter which came from an iron pipe that had been laid in the ground to keep the watter clean. She filled the rusty quart cup that laid upon the rock and we were permited to recieve of natures soda watter from the hand of the Marquisen maiden. After resting a few minuets we returned, feeling thankfull to the ladie for her kindness, as we would have been unable to find the spring with out her asistance. We gave her the word of greeting Ooua, and returened to the ship. We set sail again at 7 oclock P.M.