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Yva Explains.
When I reached the rock I was pleased to find Marama and about twenty of his people engaged in erecting the house that we had ordered them to build for our accommodation.

Indeed, it was nearly finished, since house-building in Orofena is a simple business.

The framework of poles let into palm trunks, since they could not be driven into the rock, had been put together on the further shore and towed over bodily by canoes.
The overhanging rock formed one side of the house; the ends were of palm leaves tied to the poles, and the roof was of the same material.

The other side was left open for the present, which in that equable and balmy clime was no disadvantage.