to meet us in a body before we were near the landing-place.
Every boat was crowded with people, and ornamented with
numerous flags and streamers; but one of them being distinguished
by a large blue umbrella, we steered towards
it, on the supposition that this was an emblem of ran k ; in
which opinion we were soon confirmed by the sound of
music, which played only on board this boat. On coming
closer, we saw a fine patriarchal figure seated under the umbrella;
his full white beard covered his breast, and reached
below his middle; his robe or mantle, which was of blue
silk, and of an immense size, flowed about him in a magnificent
style. His sword was suspended from his waist by
a small belt, but the insignia of his office appeared to be
a slender black rod tipped with silver, about a foot and a
half long, with a small leather thong at one end, and a
piece of black crape tied to the other: this he held in his
hand. His hat exceeded in breadth of brim any thing we
had yet met with, being, as we supposed, nearly three feet
across.
As this was evidently the chief of the party, we pulled
alongside and got into his boat, where he received us with
much politeness; but as he looked dissatisfied a t this proceeding,
we returned to our own boat, and there carried
on the conference. While we were endeavouring to make
ourselves understood, the other boats gradually separated.
and began to form a circle round us. Apprehending
treachery, we prepared our arms, and pushed off to a little
distance. The old gentleman, perceiving this, looked about
very innocently to discover the cause of our alarm; and at
length being made aware by our signs of what was the
matter, he commanded all the boats to go to the other side.
We now remained a considerable time without being able to
make ourselves understood ; for the Chinese whom we had
with us was quite ignorant of their language. We endeavoured,
by pointing to the shore, to signify our desire to
land, while the old Chief, by similar signs, expressed his
wish to go to the ships. We accordingly rowed to the Lyra,
which lay nearer to the shore than the Alceste. When the
Chiefs boat was within ten yards of the brig, they let go
their anchor, and threw a rope on board her, by which they
drew the boat alongside in a very seaman-like style. The
old man did not find it an easy matter to get up the ship’s
side, encumbered as he was with his splendid robes; he was
no sooner on board, however, than we were crowded with
the natives, who boarded us on all sides. Some climbed up
the rigging, so as to overlook the quarter-deck ; others got
on the poop, and a line was formed along the hammock
netting from one end of the brig to the other. As the evening
was fine, it was thought best to entertain the venerable