The officer landed about sun-set, and from the top of the
island could discover a village on the other side, on .the
shores of a fine large bay. He afterwards sounded the
anchorage, and found it of a convenient depth. On his
way back he landed near the village, but though it was
bright moonlight he saw none of the inhabitants.
8th of September.—About noon we weighed and sailed
round the north end of the island, which had been visited
last night. The Alceste anchored nearly in the middle
between the two islands which form the anchorage; but as
the Lyra draws less water, she was placed as close off the
village as was safe, being then about a quarter of a mile
from the beach. At this distance, by means of a telescope
fixed on a table on the poop, we were enabled to see what
was going on in the village, while the people were unconscious
of being observed. Mr. Clifford, who was too
unwell to land with Captain Maxwell and myself, placed
himself at the glass, and made many observations which
must otherwise have escaped notice.
At first the only inhabitants visible were seated on the
top of the hill watching us, the village itself being quite
deserted; but shortly after our anchoring, the inhabitants
began to assemble from different parts of the island. Of these
several were women, some of whom had children on their
backs, and others carried them in their arms. They looked
stout, were fairer in complexion than the men, and ware
dressed in a long white robe, loose and open in front, with
a petticoat of the same colour reaching a little below the
knees; their hair was tied in a large knot behind; a small
piece of white cloth was thrown loosely over the head to
protect them from the rays of the. sun. Some women, were
engaged in husking rice in a mortar with a wooden b e a te r;
these had no dress above the waist. The men and boys
were seen carrying loads on a wooden frame hooked to. the
shoulders.
In a square flat place near the village a. number of
women and children were employed winnowing, com. by
pouring it from a height, so tha t the husks blew. away.
Fishing-nets were spread to dry on most of the houses. We
landed about five o’clock, and found in the village, only
two men, who obstinately remained a t one place without
speaking, and looking anxious tha t we should go away ;
they refused the buttons which we offered them, and resisted
our persuasions to accompany us to the upper part of the
village, which we were anxious they should do, to shew that
we had no intention of hurting any. thing, but merely to
look about us. We went on alone, and on reaching, a deserted
house thought it a good opportunity to examine it.