1773. ROUND THE WORLD. 297 



one could not wish for. From their unsuspicious 

 manner of coming on board, and of receiving us at 

 first on shore, I am of opinion, they are seldom 

 disturbed by either foreign or domestic troubles. 

 They are, however, not unprovided with very formi- 

 dable weapons ; such as clubs and spears, made of 

 hard wood, also bows and arrows. The clubs are 

 from three to five feet in length, and of various shapes; 

 theirbows and arrows are but indifferent: the former 

 being very slight, and the latter only made of a 

 slender reed pointed with hard wood. Some of their 

 spears have many barbs, and must be very dangerous 

 weapons where they take effect. On the inside of 

 the bow is a groove in which is put the arrow ; from 

 which it should seem that they use but one. 



They have a singular custom of putting every 

 thing you give them to their heads, by way of thanks, 

 as we conjectured. This manner of paying a com- 

 pliment is taught them from their very infancy ; for 

 when we gave things to little children, the mother 

 lifted up the child's hand to its head. They also 

 used this custom in their exchanges with us : what- 

 ever we gave them for their goods, was always applied 

 to the head, just as if it had been given them for 

 nothing. Sometimes they would look at our goods, 

 and, if not approved, return them back ; but when- 

 ever they applied them to the head, the bargain was 

 infallibly struck. When I had made a present to the 

 chief of any thing curious, I frequently saw it handed 

 from one to another ; and every one, into whose 

 hands it came, put it to the head. Very often the 

 women would take hold of my hand, kiss it, and lift it 

 to their heads. From all this it should seem, that this 

 custom, which, they call fagqfatie, has various signifi- 

 cations according as it is applied ; all however com- 

 plimentary. 



It must be observed that the sullen chief or king 

 did not pay me any of these compliments for the pre- 

 sents I made him. 



q 2 



