46 VOYAGE TO THE 



water by the hair of the head ; but unkind as it 

 might appear to interfere to prevent this, it was 

 ^25 necessary to do so, or the boats would have been 

 filled and unmanageable. 



As our party passed, the assemblage of females 

 on the rock commenced a song, similar to that 

 chaunted by the lady in the boat ; and accompanied 

 it by extending their arms over their heads, beating 

 their breasts, and performing a variety of gestures, 

 which showed that our visit was acceptable, at least 

 to that part of the community. When the boats 

 were within a wading distance of the shore, they 

 were closely encompassed by the natives ; each 

 bringing something in his hand, however small, and 

 almost every one importuning for an equivalent in 

 return. All those in the water were naked, and 

 only here and there, on the shore, a thin cloak of 

 the native cloth was to be seen. Some had their 

 faces painted black, some red ; others black and 

 white, or red and white, in the ludicrous manner 

 practised by our clowns ; and two demon-like mon- 

 sters were painted entirely black. It is not easy to 

 imagine the picture that was presented by this mot- 

 ley crowd, unrestrained by any authority or consi- 

 deration for their visiters, all hallooing to the extent 

 of their lungs, and pressing upon the boats with all 

 sorts of grimaces and gestures. 



It was found impossible to land where it was at 

 first intended : the boats, therefore, rowed a little to 

 the northward, followed by the multitude, and there 

 effected a disembarkation, aided by some of the 

 natives, who helped the party over the rocks with 

 one hand, while they picked their pockets with the 

 other. It was no easy matter to penetrate the dense 



