THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. 477 



to the cutter when sailing to get a tow for their canoes, and 

 apparently expected to see the boat go off, head to wind, in the 

 same style. 



The inhabitants of each small island appeared to be under a 

 separate chief, and quite independent of each other. The chief's 

 power seemed to depend on his fighting qualities. The chief of 

 Wild Island had considerable power. He ordered all the canoes 

 away from the ship on the first evening of our arrival, on our 

 anchoring. He took articles away from men to whom they 

 were given, and made arrangements for each man of a party 

 getting a hatchet. He never paddled himself, and he pushed 

 canoes out of the way when approaching the ship. He, how- 

 ever, clamoured with the rest for presents and trade. He had 

 no ceremonious respect paid to him at all. 



The natives seemed friendly enough, but they were of course 

 excessively excited at our presence. No doubt they were afraid 

 of us. When a party, which landed with Captain Thomson on 

 Dentrecasteaux Island, was putting off from shore in a small 

 boat to reach the pinnace, the inhabitants seemed possibly to 

 be meditating an attack, for they suddenly produced their lances 

 and showed intense excitement ; no doubt the sight of a sack 

 full of trade articles in the boat was almost too tempting for 

 them. 



We were usually on very good terms with them. On one 

 occasion Mr. E. Eichards, Paymaster of the "Challenger," 

 accompanied a number of natives in the chiefs canoe, which 

 was guiding a party to Pigeon Island. He took down the 

 names of the whole crew. 



The natives were very much frightened at some Goats which 

 were offered to them by Captain Thomson and refused to let 

 them be landed on the inhabited islands. They were very much 

 scared also by a wooden jointed toy Snake which I showed them 

 swaying to and fro; and evidently must be acquainted with 

 poisonous snakes, as they made signs for me to kill the thing or 

 it would injure me. A squeaking Doll, which kicked its legs 

 and arms about, frightened the chief Oto very much, and he 

 and others made signs at once to have the thing put out of their 

 sisdit. 



