It consisted of a flute with four holes, a nondescript instrument, seemingly made of stones; a drum made out of the hollow trunk of a tree, covered at each end with skin, of what kind it is needless to inquire.

The sounds emitted by this orchestra were of an ear-rending nature, and of a kind graphically termed by the Germans Katzenmusik.
"Illustrious Rono," cried Jack, "for goodness sake, tell these gentlemen you are not a lover of sweet sounds." "Belay there!" roared Willis.
This command, however, had no effect; the artists continued thumping and blowing away as before.

Willis, thinking to make himself better heard, placed his hands on his mouth, and roared the same order through them.

This action seemed to be received as a mark of approbation, for the noise became absolutely terrific.
"No use," said Willis: "I can make nothing of them.

You try what you can do." "Very good," said Jack, lighting what is technically termed an _artichoke_, but better known as a zig-zag cracker; "if they do not understand English, perhaps they may comprehend pyrotechnics." The artichoke was thrown into the royal barge.