PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. J 39 



The following^ morning- we were close to the reefs 

 by which the Island of Loo Choo is nearly surround- 

 ed, and steered along them to the southward, remark- 

 ing as we passed the excellent harbours which appear 

 to be formed within them ; and planning a chart of 

 them as correctly as our distance from the shore, and 

 other circumstances, would permit. The sea rolled 

 furiously over the reefs, which presented a most for- 

 midable barrier to encounter in a dark night, but we 

 were glad to find that this danger was lessened by 

 soundings being found outside them, in a depth of 

 water which would enable a vessel to anchor in case of 

 necessity. This depth gradually increased to seventy- 

 five fathoms, at four miles distance from the reefs. 



Daylight had scarcely dawned the following morn- 

 ing before several fishermen paddled towards the ship, 

 and fastened their canoes alongside. They had taken 

 several dolphins, which they exchanged for a very small 

 quantity of tobacco, tying the fish to a rope, and with- 

 out the least mistrust contentedly waiting until the 

 price of it was handed to them. Their canoes were 

 capable of holding five or six persons each, but there 

 were seldom more than two or three in any of them. 

 They were hollowed out of large trees, and rather 

 clumsily made ; but it was evident, from the neat manner 

 in which the inside was fitted with bambo gratings, 

 that the constructors of them were capable of much 

 better workmanship. They had no outriggers, and 

 their sail was made of grass. 



After remaining alongside some time they ventured 

 upon deck, and saluted us in the Japanese manner, by 

 bowing their heads very low, and clasping their hands 

 to their breasts. They appeared to be a very diminu- 

 tive race, and were nearly all bow-legged, from the 



