388 COOK'S VOYAGE TO JUNE 



skin. It was mended or patched with pieces of silk- 

 stuff, and his cap was ornamented with two or three 

 sorts of glass beads. His own clothes being wet, 

 I gave him others, in which he dressed himself with 

 as much ease as I could have done. From his be- 

 haviour, and that of some others, we were convinced 

 that these people were no strangers to Europeans, 

 and to some of their customs. But there was 

 something in our ships that greatly excited their 

 curiosity ; for such as could not come off in ca- 

 noes, assembled on the neighbouring hills to look at 

 them. 



At low water, having weighed and towed the ship 

 into the harbour, we anchored there in nine fathoms 

 water, over a bottom of sand and mud ; the Dis- 

 covery got in soon after. A launch was now sent 

 for water, and a boat to draw the seine, but we 

 caught only four trout and a few other small fish. 



Soon after we anchored, a native of the island 

 brought on board such another note as had been 

 given to Captain Clerke. He presented it to me, 

 but it was written in the Russian language, which, 

 as already observed, none of us could read. As it 

 could be of no use to me, and might be of conse- 

 quence to others, I returned it to the bearer, and 

 dismissed him with a few presents, for which he ex- 

 pressed his thanks, by making several low bows as he 

 retired. 



. In walking next day along the shore, I met with a 

 group of natives of both sexes, seated on the grass at 

 a repast consisting of raw fish, which they seemed to 

 eat with as much relish as we should a turbot, served 

 up with the richest sauce. By the evening we had 

 completed our water, and made such observations as 

 the time and weather would permit. I have taken 

 notice of the rapidity of the tide without the har- 

 bour, but it was inconsiderable within. It was low 

 water at noon ; and high water at half past six in the 

 evening ; and the water rose, upon a perpendicular, 



