and we in Loo-choo, lie may be the means of giving us
much information. As an instance of his progress in
English, it may be mentioned, that one day he came on
board the Lyra, and said, “ The Ta-yin speak me, ‘ you
go ship, John come sh o re ;'” by which we understood that
Captain Maxwell had sent him on board the brig for the
interpreter. This was about three weeks after oui arrival.
Most of the natives have acquired a little English, so
that Mr. Clifford has now no difficulty in finding people
willing to instruct him, and to take pains in correcting
his pronunciation. One of his teachers, called Y&ckabee
Oomeejeero, will not permit him to write down a single
word till he has acquired the exact Loo-choo sound : but
he is like the rest in shewing an invincible objection to
giving any information about the women. He admits that
he is married, and gives the names of his sons: but when
his wife or daughters are alluded to, he becomes uneasy,
and changes the subject. On Mr. Clifford's gravely telling
him that he believed there were no women on the island,
he was thrown off his guard, and answered hastily, that
he had both a wife and daughter, but instantly checking
himself, turned the conversation another way. On the
picture of an English lady being shewn to him, he commended
it highly, saying, at the same time, “ Doochoo in