100 cook's second VOYAGE APRIL, 



people joining us did not in the least alarm them ; on 

 the contrary, they saluted every one as he came up. 



I gave to each a hatchet and a knife, having 

 nothing else with me : perhaps these were the most 

 valuable things I could give them ; at least they were 

 the most useful. They wanted us to go to their habi- 

 tation, telling us they would give us something to 

 eat ; and I was sorry that the tide, and other circum- 

 stances, would not permit me to accept of their 

 invitation. More people were seen in the skirts of 

 the wood, but none of them joined us ; probably 

 these were their wives and children. When we took 

 leave they followed us to our boat, and seeing the 

 muskets lying across the stern, they made signs for 

 them to be taken away ; which being done, they 

 came along side, and assisted us to launch her. At 

 this time, it was necessary for us to look well after 

 them, for they wanted to take away every thing they 

 could lay their hands upon, except the muskets ; 

 these they took care not to touch, being taught by 

 the slaughter they had seen us make among the wild 

 fowl, to look upon them as instruments of death. 



We saw no canoes or other boats with them ; two 

 or three logs of wood tied together served the same 

 purpose ; and were indeed sufficient for the naviga- 

 tion of the river, on the banks of which they lived. 

 There fish and fowl were in such plenty, that they 

 had no occasion to go far for food ; and they have 

 but few neighbours to disturb them. The whole 

 number at this place, I believe, does not exceed three 

 families. 



It was noon when we took leave of these two 

 men, and proceeded down the north side of the bay ; 

 which I explored in my way, and the isles that lie 

 in the middle ; night, however, overtook us, and 

 obliged me to leave one arm unlocked into, and has- 

 ten to the ship, which we reached by eight o'clock. 

 I then learnt that the man and his daughter stayed on 

 board the day before till noon ; and that, having 



