1778. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 291 



they did unveil them, they seemed to speak of them 

 in a very mysterious manner. It should seem that 

 they are at times accustomed to make offerings to 

 them, if we can draw this inference from their de- 

 siring us, as we interpreted their signs, to give 

 something to these images when they drew aside the 

 mats that covered them.* It was natural, from these 

 circumstances, for us to think that they were repre- 

 sentatives of their gods, or symbols of some religious 

 or superstitious object ; and yet we had proofs of the 

 little real estimation they were in, for with a small 

 quantity of iron or brass, I could have purchased all 

 the gods (if their images were such) in the place. I 

 did not see one that was not offered to me ; and 



I actually got two or three of the very smallest 

 sort. 



The chief employment of the men seems to be 



* It should seem that Mr. Webber was obliged to repeat his of- 

 ferings pretty frequently, before he could be permitted to finish his 

 drawing of these images. The following account is in his own 

 words : " After having made a general view of their habitations, 

 " I sought for an inside, which might furnish me with sufficient 

 " matter to convey a perfect idea of the mode in which these peo- 

 " pie live. Such was soon found. While I was employed, a man 

 " approached me with a large knife in his hand, seemingly dis- 

 " pleased, when he observed that my eyes were fixed on two repre- 

 " sentations of human figures, which were placed at one end of the 

 i( apartment, carved on planks, of a gigantic proportion, and 

 " painted after their custom. However, I took as little notice of 

 " him as possible, and proceeded, to prevent which, he soon pro- 

 (t vided himself with a mat, and placed it in such a manner as to 

 " hinder my having any longer a sight of them. Being pretty cer- 

 " tain that I could have no future opportunity to finish my draw- 

 *' ing, and the object being too interesting to be omitted, I con- 

 " sidered that a little bribery might probably have some effect. 

 " Accordingly I made an offer of a button from my coat, which, 

 f being of metal, I thought they would be pleased with. This 



II instantly produced the desired effect ; for the mat was removed, 

 " and I was left at liberty to proceed as before. Scarcely had I 

 " seated myself and made a beginning, when he returned and re- 

 " newed his former practice, continuing it till I parted with every 

 " single button, and when he saw that he had completely stripped 

 " me, I met with no farther obstruction." 



U 2 



