256
1767. what difficulties we might meet with before we got back to
. Jn y~ . the ffiip, which we judged to be now at a great diftance
Saturday 25, ^fter having again recruited our ftrength by refreffiment
and reft, we began to defcend the mountain, being ftill
attended by the people to whofe care we had been recommended
by our old man. We kept our general direction towards
the ffiip, but Ijpmetimes deviated a little to the right
and left in the plains and vallies, when we faw any houfes
that were pleafantly fituated, the inhabitants being every
where ready to accommodate us with whatever they had.
We faw no beaft, except a few hogs, nor any birds, except
parrots, parroquets, and green doves ; by the rivet;;
however, there was plenty o f ducks, and every place that
was planted and cultivated, appeared to flouriffi with great
luxuriance, though in the midft of what had the appearance
o f barren ground. I planted the ftones of-peaches, cherries,
and plums, with a great variety of garden feeds, where I
thought it was moft probable that they would thrive, and
limes, lemons, and oranges, in fituations which refembled
thofe in which they are found in the Weft Indies. In the
afternoon, we arrived at a very pleafant fpot, within about
three miles o f the ffiip, where we procured two'hogs: and
fpme fowls, which the natives drefled for us, very well, and
with great expedition. Here we continued till the cool of
the evening, and then made the beft o f our way for the ffiip,
having liberally rewarded our guides, and the people who
had proyided us fo good a dinner. Our men behaved
through the whole,day with,the greateft decency and order,
and we parted with our Indian friends in perfeft good humour
with each other.”
Sunday 26, About 16 o’clock, the next morning, the queen came on
board according to her promife, with a prefent of hogs and
fowls, blit Went on ffiore again foon afterwards. This day,
the
the Gunner fent off near thirty hogs, with great plenty o f 1767-
fowls and fruit.. We completed our wood and water, and <— —
got all ready for fea. More inhabitants'came down to the a* 1 '
beach, from the inland country* than we had feen before,
and many of them appeared, by the refpeft that was paid
them, to be o f a fuperior rank. About three’ o'clock in the
afternoon, the queen came again down to the beach, very
well-'"drefled, and followed by a great number’ of peopl'e.
Having crofted the river with her attendants and our old
xnan, Hie came once more on board the ffiip. She brought
with her Tome very fine fruit, and renewed her felicitation,
that I would ‘ ftky ten days longer, with g r e a t ' earneftnefs,,
intimating that ffie- would go- into the country, and bring
me plenty o f hogs,1 fowls, and fruit. I endeavoured to ex-
prefs a proper fenfe of her kindnefs and bounty, but affured
her that I ffiould' certainly fail the next morning. T his ,1 as
ufuaiv threw her into tears, and after ffie recovered, ffie enquired
by frgns when I ffiould return: I endeavoured tb ex-
prefs fifty days, and ffie made figns fo r thirty1: but the fign
for fifty being conftantly repeated, ffie Teemed fatisfied.
She flayed, on board' till' night, and it1 Was then with the
greateft difficulty that ffie could be prevailed upon to go on
ffiore. When ffie was told that the boat was ready, Hie-
threw herfelf down upon the arm-cheft, and wept a long time
with an excefs o f paffion that could not be pacified; at laft,
however; though with the greateft reluctance; ffie went into-
the boat, and'was followed by her attendants and the old!
man. The old man had often intimated that liis fon, a lad
about fourteen years o f age, fhould go with us, and the boy
feemed to be willing: he had, however, now difappeared
for two days; I enquired after him when I firft milled him,
and the old man gave me to underftand that he was gone
into the country to fee his friends, and would return time
V ol. I< L I enough .