BRIERLY ISLAND AND NATIVES. 219 



after anchoring*^ and smaller fish of many kinds were 

 caug'lit in abundance^ — they were mostly species of 

 Pentapus^ Diacope^ and Mesoprion, 



AVhile passing* a small island — afterwards named 

 in honour of Mr. Brierlv — distant from our an- 

 chorag-e about two miles N.W. by W.^ several 

 women and dog's were seen on shore^ and soon 

 afterwards two canoes^ which had followed us from 

 the anchorage^ were seen to put in there. In the 

 afternoon two boats were sent to this island^ to 

 communicate with the natives^ and search for an 

 anchorag'e near it. We landed upon a sand}^ beach^ 

 after wading* over the fringing* reef^ and were met 

 by some natives who had come round a neig'hbour- 

 ing* point from the windward or inhabited side. 

 Although at first cautious of approach^ yet in the 

 course of a few minutes they came ^^eelj about us to 

 the number of twenty^ each carr3ing' two or three 

 spears — not the beautifully polished and well- 

 balanced ones we had seen elsewhere^ but merely 

 slender^ rudely -fashioned sticks sharpened at each 

 end. About twelve women^ dressed in the usual 

 petticoat of g'rass-like stuffy followed at a distance^ 

 and kept close to the point for some time ; but at 

 leng-th the natural curiosity of the sex (I suppose) 

 overcame their fear^ and althoug-h repeatedly ordered 

 back by the men^ they drew up closer and closer to 

 have a peep at the strang-ers. Two of the young-est 

 and most attractive of these ladies advanced to 

 within twenty yards^ and received with much appa- 



