warning of our approach. The women and children probably
retreated before us to a ravine on the north side of
the island, for when we approached it the Coreans became
more anxious than ever for our re tu rn ; and one man seeing
us still advance, took hold of my arm and gave it a sharp
pinch. I turned round and exclaimed, “ Patience, S ir!” he
drew back on observing my displeasure, and a moment after
called out himself, “ Patience, Sir!” The others hearing this-
caught the words too, and nothing was heard for some time
amongst them but “ Patience, Sir,” pronounced in every
instance with perfect propriety. They seemed surprised
themselves on discovering powers of imitation hitherto in
all probability unexercised. This incident brought us better
acquainted, and we remained on the top of the hill teaching
them English words till it was dark. They were certainly
entertained with our instructions, bu t nevertheless shewed
much more satisfaction in attending us down hill again to
our boats. Before going on board we invited them to come
to the ship next day, which one of the party was supposed
to comprehend: he first made preparations for going to
bed, then closed his eyes, hung his head on his hand, and
snored very properly; after a time he opened his eyes,
started and looked about him, then laid his hands on
Captain Maxwell’s shoulders with an air of welcome. This
was interpreted by some into a wish for our departure till
the morning, and by others that he himself would visit us
a t daylight. As he never came on board, and received us
on landing next day with any thing but welcome, probably
both guesses were wrong: of one thing there was no doubt,
his anxiety to get rid of u s; and his signs may have meant
that it was time for all honest people to be in bed.
9th of September.—At sunrise we landed a t the same
village, and found it deserted as before. We left it and
made for the highest peak on the island, accompanied by
a few of the Coreans, who did not interfere with us till
about halfway up, when on our entering a'grove of fir trees,
with the appearance of which we had been struck, one of
the Coreans objected; we went on, however, and upon
reaching the stump of an old tree the Corean fell on his
knees, bowed his head to the ground, and as he raised it
again held his hands closed and pressed together towards
the stump. This had very much the air of a stratagem to
dissuade us from going further in that direction, where the
women probably were concealed. Admitting this, to have
been the motive, it is curious tha t he should have supposed
such a shew of religious form calculated to restrain us. I t
is further remarkable as being the only circumstance which
we have seen on this coast implying a knowledge of religion