]vJX. Iield fince our departure from Taheitee. The populoufnefs
of the country was ftrongly evinced by its fertile appearance,
and by the number of fires. We opened two other
rflands to the fouth-eafi ward, after pafiing the weft end of
this land, one of which was a very high peak’, which looked
like a volcanic mountain. Another ifland, with three high
hills, alfo appeared to the fouth, at a great diftance. The
weftern land, towards- which we failed, was not lefs beautiful
than that which we left. Its groves had the richeft
tints of verdure, and coco-palms were fcattered between
them in vaft numbers. The mountains rofe far inland,,
and before them lay feveral lower grounds, all' covered with
woods, and bounded by a fine beach. At noon we came
clofe in fhore, and faw many natives wading into the water
to the waift, having clubs in their hands, but waving green
boughs, the univerfal figns of peace. One of them had a
fpear, and another a bow and arrows.: Contrary to their
expectations, and perhaps their wifhes, we put about again.
However after dinner two boats were hoifted out, and fent
to found in a little harbour, which we obferved from the
fhip. The whole fouth point of this little bay, which was
bounded by a coral reef, was lined by feveral hundred inhabitants,
of -whom a few ventured out in their canoes to*
wards the fhip and the boats. They did not approach near
the fhip whilft Ihe ftaid out at fea ; but the boats having
made the fignal for good anchorage, we came in after them;
into a narrow harbour, with reefs at the entrance, but
which;,
which feemed to go inland to a confiderable diftance. Our
boats returned on board, and the officer acquainted the captain,
that the natives had come within a few yards in their
canoes, but had not offered the leaft infult; on the contrary,
they had waved green boughs, and dipping their hands
into fait water, had poured it on their heads. This compliment
our officer returned, much to their fatisfadlion, it
being probably a fign of friendfhip. They now approached'
the fhip in their canoes, waving green plants, particularly
the leaves of the dracana termimlis, and of a beautiful croton
variegatum, and repeating the word Tomarr or Tofnarro continually,
which feemed to be an expreffion equivalent to-
the Taheitian Tayo (friend.) The greater part of them
were however armed with bows and arrows, and a few
with fpears ; being thus prepared, at all events, both for
peace and war. By degrees they ventured near the fhip,.
and received a few pieces of Taheitee cloth, which they eagerly
accepted. Prefently they handed up fome of their arrows
in exchange ; at firft fuch as were pointed with wood1
only, but foon after even fuch as were armed with points o f
bone, and daubed with a black gummy fluff,, on which:
account we fufpected them to be poifoned.. A ^oung Taheitian
puppy was therefore wounded in the leg with one;
of thefe arrows, to try its ef fectbut we perceived no dam
gerous fymptoms..
The language of thefe people was fo utterly different
fromt
1-774- JULY-,.