p, 212, circuit of the ifland. As the inhabitants appeared to be more numerous than
the ifland could fuppoft, and feveral large double canoes were bn the beach,
Captain Wallis concluded that there muft be illands of a larger extent, not
far diftant, where refreifiments in greater plenty might be procured, and hoped
they would be lei's difficult of accefa.- He,, therefore, hoifted in the boats,
and determined to run farther to the weft ward. To this ifland, which is nearly
circular, and about two miles over, he gave the name of Ofnaburgh Ifland,
in honour of Prince Frederick. It lies in latitude 170 51’ ibuth, and longitude
1470 36’ weft,
p. 213. In the afternoon of the fame day they difcovered very high land in the W. S. W.
to which they fleered; and approaching it the next morning, were obliged to
lie to, on account of a thick fog; when the fog*cleared away, they were much
ffirprized to find themfelves furrounded by fome hundreds of canoes, of various
fi&e.s, which had on board different numbers, from one to ten; fo that in all
of them together, there could not be lefs than eight hundred people.
After the natives had recovered from their aftoniihment, one of them held
up a branch of the plantain tree as a token of friendihip, and many of them
climbed up the fides of the {hip; but they were no fooner on board, than they
attempted to fteal whatever happened to lie in their way.
p. 217. On the 2ift they found anchorage on the eaft fide of the ifland to their inexpreflible
fatisfaftion, and immediately moored in feventeen fathom water,
with a clear fandy bottom. This was no fooner done, than a confiderable
number of canoes came off to the ihip, and brought with them fowls, hogs,
and fruit in great plenty, which were purchafed with trinkets and nails,
p. 218. Notwithftanding this appearance of friendihip, the boats, on going afhore,'
were attacked by feveral of the'canoes; and it was not till after two of the
Indians were (hot, that they defifted. In fome little time, however, they
came off to traffick as before, feemingly convinced that they had brought the
mifchief on themfelves, and that i f they behaved peaceably they had nothing
to fear.
Whilft
Whilft the boats were founding, the inhabitants fwarmed on the beach, and P*
were very importunate with them to come on, fhore, particularly the women,
who, ftripping themfelves naked, endeavoured to allure them by many wanton
geftures. The p e o p l e however refifted the temptation. In the afternoon the p.
boats went on fhore for water, taking with them, for that purpofe, feveral
baracas or fmall caiks with handles: two of which the natives filled for them;
and as a compenfation for their trouble, they thought fit to detain all the feft.
At this time there were many thoufands of them, of both fexes, together with
a great number of children, on the beach, and both men and women were
very prefling for the people to come on fhore; which they thought it prudent
to decline.
It being neceflary for this circumftance, that the ihip fhould anchor fo near P1
the watering-placej as to cover the people while they were procuring it; they
weighed on the 23d with a defign to approach nearer the fhore : but, as they
were ftanding off, they difcovered a bay; about fix or eight miles to leeward,
to which they made; unfortunately, oh their paflage, the ihip ftruek on a reef,
notwithftanding two boats were ahead, and fhe was nearly loft; fhe, however,
at laft got off without much damage; and the next day they anchored at the p,
upper end of this bay, within two cables length of a very fine river.
As they warped up the harbour, a great number of canoes came about them, p
loaded with ftones; and drawing-together round the ihip, fome of the natives p
in them fung in a hoarfe voice, others blew conchy and others played on
flutes. After fome time, a perfon, who fat upon à canopy in one of the large
double canoes, came along fide, and prefented Captain Wallis with a bunch of
red and yellow feathers : the Captain received it with expreffions of amity, and
immediately got fome trinkets to prefent him in return; but, to his great
furprife, the Chief had put off to a little diftance; and upon his throwing up
a branch of cocoa nut tree, there was an univerfal fhout from all the canoes,
which at once moved towards the ihip, and à ihower of ftones was poured into
her from every fide: there being not lefs than three hundred Canoes about the
ihip, with at leaft two thoufand men in them, fome thoufands alfo being on fhe
fhore, and many more canoes coming from every quarter; a great part of the