A debate now appeared to take place between the Chief
and his followers, as to the mode of communicating:7 O with u's:
meanwhile, as we ourselves were equally at a loss, wè
became anxious to relieve the old man’s embarrassment,
by shewing him all the attention in our power, and completely
succeeded in putting him into a good humour, by
giving him some cherry brandy, and distributing rum to
his people.
While these attempts a t explanation were going on, the
crowd of natives increased, and their curiosity became so
great, tha t they pressed round us in a way nowise agreeable.
Some of them roved about the ship, and appeared
highly entertained with every thing they saw. The Chief
himself, however, did not appear a t ease, but continued
giving directions to his officers and people about him with
an air of impatience. He more than once ordered them
all into their boats, but they always returned after a few
minutes. One man persevered in climbing over the ham-
The knowledge of writing is supposed to be very generally diffused over the
countries using what is called the Chinese character, and, as probably none but
the lowest vulgar are ignorant of it, thè surprise of these people on discovering
our inability to read their papers is very natural. The case, we may imagine,
had never occurred to them before, and it was highly interesting to watch thè
eifect which so novel an incident produced. A t first they appeared to doubt the
fact of our ignorance, and shewed some symptoms of impatience; but this
opinion did not last long, and they remained completely puzzled, looking at
each other with an odd expression of surprise.
mocks, close to the Chief, to see what was going on. The
noise made to keep him back attracted the Chiefs attention,
who immediately gave orders to one of the attendants for
his being taken away; it will be seen by and by what was
his fate.
The persons forming the suite of the Chief were dressed
nearly in the same manner as himself, excepting that their
robes were white, and did not contain such a profusion of
doth. They wore the large hats and wide trowsers tied
above the ancle, with cotton shoes turned up a little at the
toe. The immediate attendants, who seemed also to be
soldiers, were differently clothed: over a loose pink frock
with wide sleeves, they have another which fits closer, and is
without sleeves, the corners being tucked up, like the skirts
of some military uniforms. Their hat is a broad flat cone
made of thick grass, the under part being embossed with
different coloured silks, and from a gilt ornament on t i e
peak there hangs a tassel made of peacock’s feathers, and
another of hair dyed red : some are armed with bows and
arrows, others with only a straight sword, having no guard
for the hand. A coarse frock without sleeves, and trowsers,
or rather drawers, covering the thigh, are worn by the
lower orders.
I t was nearly dark when the Chief gave directions for