PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 169 



CHAPTER VI. 



Second interview with the Natives — Visit to the principal Village 

 — Bodies exposed to dry — Areghe or Chief — Lieutenant Wain- 

 wright attacked by Natives — Advantage of the Port — Further 

 Description of the Island, its Soil and Productions. 



On the afternoon of the 8th, we again landed 

 under Mount Duff, to try the feeling of the natives. 

 Our party was not large, and we carefully avoided 

 every thing that might appear offensive, carrying 

 with us a white flag upon a staff. One man only, 

 at first, ventured near us, rubbed noses, and received 

 several presents, with which he was highly delighted. 

 His companions, who, during the interview, had 

 been peeping from behind the trees, noticing his 

 friendly reception, laid aside their weapons, came 

 out of the wood, and saluted us in their usual man- 

 ner, singing, as they approached, the chorus we had 

 heard on board, which strengthened our opinion of 

 its being a song of welcome. 



The next day I landed with a party in the bay 

 where the principal village is situated, and was met 

 at the landing-place, which was about half a mile 

 from the village, by two or three men who rubbed 

 noses, and seemed glad to see us. They took us by 

 the arm and conducted us to the village along a 



