1777. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 235 



of being insolent when they think there is no danger 

 of punishment ; which is so contrary to the spirit of 

 genuine bravery, that, perhaps, their eagerness to 

 resent injuries is to be looked upon rather as an effect 

 of a furious disposition than of great courage. They 

 also appear to be of a suspicious or mistrustful tem- 

 per (which, however, may rather be acquired than 

 natural), for strangers never came to our ships im- 

 mediately, but lay in their boats at a small distance, 

 either to observe our motions, or consult whether or 

 no they should risk their safety with us. To this 

 they join a great degree of dishonesty ; for they steal 

 every thing they can lay their hands on, if there be 

 the least hope of not being detected ; and, in trading, 

 I have little doubt but they would take advantages, 

 if they thought it could be done with safety ; as they 

 not only refuse to trust a thing in one's hand for 

 examination, but exult, if they think they have 

 tricked you in the bargain. 



Such conduct, however, is in some measure to be 

 expected where there appears to be but little sub- 

 ordination, and consequently few, if any laws, to 

 punish transgressions. For no man's authority 

 seems to extend farther than his own family ; and 

 when, at any time, they join for mutual defence, 

 or any other purpose, those amongst them who are 

 eminent for courage or prudence, are directors. 

 How their private quarrels are terminated is uncer- 

 tain ; but, in the few we saw, which were of little 

 consequence, the parties concerned were clamorous 

 and disorderly. 



Their public contentions are frequent, or rather 

 perpetual; for it appears, from their number of 

 weapons, and dexterity in using them, that war 

 is their principal profession. These weapons are 

 spears, patoos and halberts, or sometimes stones. 

 The first are made of hard wood pointed, of 

 different lengths, from five to twenty, or even 

 thirty feet long. The short ones are used for 



