1773- HOUND THE WORLD. 05 



at least so we understood them. After a few boards, 

 we anchored in Van Diemen's Road, in eighteen 

 fathoms' water, little more than a cable's length from 

 the breakers which line the coast. We carried out 

 the coasting anchor and cable to seaward, to keep 

 the ship from tailing on the rocks, in case of a shift 

 of wind or a calm. This last anchor lay in forty- 

 seven fathoms* water; so steep was the bank on which 

 we anchored. By this time we were crowded with 

 people ; some came oft' in canoes, and others swam ; 

 but, like those of the other isle, brought nothing with 

 them but cloth, matting, &c, for which the seamen 

 only bartered away their cloaths. As it was probable 

 they would soon feel the effects of this kind of traffic, 

 with a view to put a stop to it, and to obtain the 

 necessary refreshments, I gave orders that no sort 

 of curiosities should be purchasesd by any person 

 whatever. 



The good effect of this order was found in the 

 morning. For when the natives saw we would pur- 

 chase nothing but eatables, they brought offbananoes 

 and cocoa-nuts in abundance, some fowls and pigs ; 

 all of which they exchanged for small nails and pieces 

 of cloth : even old rags of any sort was enough for a 

 pig or a fowl. 



Matters being thus established, and proper persons 

 appointed to trade under the direction of the officers 

 to prevent disputes, after breakfast I landed, accom- 

 panied by Captain Furneaux, Mr. Forster, and seve- 

 ral of the officers; having alone with us a chief, or 

 person of some note, whose name was Attago, who 

 had attached himself to me, from the first moment of 

 his coining on board, which was before we anchored. 

 I know not how he came to discover that I was the 

 commander ; but, certain it is, he was not long on 

 deck before he singled me out from all the other 

 gentlemen, making me a present of some cloth, and 

 other things he had about him : and, as a greater 

 testimony of friendship, we now exchanged names ; 



