on the other side of the peak, which is much less steep.
We found the boat's crew preparing dinner for us, under
some trees, close to a well of cool water. The village to
which the well belonged not being many yards off, we
proceeded to explore it, and found it deserted by all except
an old woman and a man. The woman, seated on a pile of
stones, in the middle of the village, took no notice of us as
we passed; and indeed, she was herself so very homely, as to
occupy but little of our attention. The man was seated at the
door of a cottage, making a straw sandal: on our entering
his inclosure, he looked up for ah instant, and immediately
resumed his work, with as much composure as if we had
been a party of the villagers. A button was offered to
him, which he accepted without scruple: he agreed, with
equal readiness, to exchange his unfinished sandal for
another button, which having carelessly put away, in a bag
lying near him, he took some straw and re-commenced
his business, without seeming to notice that we were rummaging
his house. He is the only Corean we have met
with, who has not shewn some slight symptoms of curiosity:
indeed, he seemed totally indifferent about our staying or
going, or about what we were doing in his house; and we
left him without knowing whether to ascribe his apathy to
fear, or to absolute stupidity.
On returning from the village, we saw a party of the
natives assembled on a rising ground near u s ; they were
invited, by signs, to join us at dinner, b u t they kept their
places unmoved. While we were at dinner, the sailors,
who had been rambling about, joined the natives, and in a
few minutes became very good friends with them; the
natives giving up their pipes, and the sailors in return supplying
them with tobacco. We have frequently remarked
during this voyage, that the sailors make acquaintance with
the natives much sooner than the officers. This seems the
natural effect of the difference in our manners. On meeting
with natives, we feel so anxious to conciliate, and to avoid
giving offence, tha t our behaviour, thus guarded and circumspect,
has an air of restraint about it, which may
produce distrust and apprehension on their p a r t; whilst, on
the other hand, Jack, who is not only unreflecting and
inoffensive himself, but never suspects that others can possibly
misconstrue his perfect good-will and unaffected
frankness, has an easy, disengaged manner, which a t once
invites confidence and familiarity.
In about an hour after we had sat down, one of the
natives hastily rose, and without appearing to deliberate,
bu t as if actuated by a sudden impulse, strode rapidly
down to us, and in the most unceremonious way possible,