NATIVES AND THEITl CANOES. 81 



trees), frequently of great size^ being- the predomi- 

 nant trees. The g-rass was very luxuriant and even 

 difficult to wade throug-h, indicating- an abundance 

 of water^ of which several small streams were seen. 

 One of these streamlets close to the anchorag'e is 

 well adapted for watering* a ship at^ as boats can 

 approach within a few yards ; and the supply can 

 ne^er^ I have g*ood reason to believe^ entirely 

 cease. 



The natives^ a small party of whom were here, 

 have had frequent intercourse with Europeans, and 

 indeed the sig-ht along-side the ship of eig-ht canoes, 

 four of which carried two unarmed men, and the 

 others one each, would of itself, to most people, 

 have been a convincing* proof of a friendly dispo- 

 sition. That such apparent desire to be on friendly 

 terms mig-ht often mislead strang-ers, is not to be 

 wondered at. Yet these same people, a few 3^ears 

 ag-o, made a sudden and most wanton attack upon 

 a seining- party belong-ing- to H.M.S. Fly, and 

 shortly after we left them, they attempted to cut off 

 a small vessel which had called there for water. 



Their canoes are very simply constructed of a 

 single sheet of bark of the g-um-tree broug-ht 

 tog-ether at the ends, and secured by stitching*. 

 The sitter squats down with his leg-s doubled under 

 him, and uses a small square piece of bark in each 

 hand, as paddles, with one of which he also bales 

 the water out by dexterously scooping- it up from 

 behind him. 



VOL I. G- 



