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which they in all probability at first imagined it to be ; and from their
behaviour on the occasion I think it quite certain they are not cannibals.
As the curiosity of one party of our visiters became satisfied, they
quitted the ship, and others supplied their place. One of these favoured
us with a song, which commenced with a droning noise, the
words of which we could not distinguish ; they then gave three shouts,
to which succeeded a short recitation, followed by the droning chorus
and shouts as before. In this manner the song proceeded, each recitation
differing from the former, until three shouts, louder than the
others, announced the finale. 'I’he singers arranged themselves in a
semicircle round the hatchway, and during the performance pointed
to the different parts of the ship, to which their song was undoubtedly
applicable ; but it was impossible to say in what way, though I have
every reason to believe it was of a friendly nature.
'While the decks were so crowded with visiters, the duty of watering
the ship could not be carried on, and it was of the greatest consequence
that it should be got through speedily, as the boats were
required to survey the group, upon which I could not bestow many
days. My hope was, that the natives would quit us as their curiosity
became satisfied, especially as they had nothing to barter except some
sour paste, which, being extremely unpalatable to every one on
board, was not marketable. After breakfast, two small boats, the only
ones we had in repair, were equipped for landing, and the barge was
ordered to be in attendance ; for though there was every reason to
expect a friendly reception, yet in a country where the language is not
understood, and among a barbarous people, whose principal aim is
plunder, it is extremely difficult to avoid disputes, especially when the
force to which they are opposed is greatly inferior to their own. YY"e
felt the loss of the cutter at this moment, as she was a boat so much
better calculated for the service we had to perform than the gig or
whale-boat.
As we had anticipated, the boats had no sooner put off from the
ship, than all the natives quitted her as before, and joined their companions
on shore, who were assembled in a wood skirting the beach.
At the approach of the boats, there was much bustle among the trees ;
every one appeared to be arming himself, and many who had long CHAP.
poles broke them in halves to supply those who had none. These
preparations made it necessary to be cautious how the boats were
Jan.
1826.
placed in their power, as they were small, and easily upset, and the
natives very numerous. W e found the shore, as at the other island,
surrounded by coral rocks, upon which the boats grounded about two
hundred yards from the beach, and they could not advance without
imminent danger ofbeing stove. The natives, whose rafts drew so
little water that they could be floated over these impediments, could
not understand our motives in delaying, or searching for any other
place than that to which they had been accustomed, and kept continually
vociferating “ Ho-my! Ho-my!” It was natural that they,
ignorant of the cause, should suppose we had other things in view
than that of landing; and one of them who had received a bottle as
a present from some of our people, imagining we were come in search
of it, ran into the water as far as he could, holding it up at arm’s length,
and when he could advance no farther, threw it towards the boat, and,
in spite of our signs for him to keep it, he followed the boats, and kept
throwing the bottle towards us, until he found it was of no use.
A short distance below the place where the multitude were assembled,
the rocks admitted a freer access to the shore than above, and we
effected a landing.
Directly the boats touched the beach, one of the natives who
was near them took off his turban and waved it to his countrymen,
who instantly answered the signal with a shout, and rushed towards the
spot. The foremost of their party stopped within a short distance of
us until the crowd came up to him, and then advanced and saluted
Mr. Belcher, who was unarmed, by rubbing noses. Observing there
was some distrust of a fowling-piece which I held in my hand, I
placed it against a rock for an instant among our own party, while I
advanced a step to salute a person who appeared to be the leading man
of the islanders. 'I'he opportunity this afforded the natives of indulging
their favourite propensity was not overlooked; and one of them, regardless
of all risk, thrust himself between our people, snatched up the gun,
and, mingling with the mob with the greatest adroitness, succeeded in
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