17^9. ROUND THE WORLD. 321 



and people like those we had seen last, and for some 

 time they behaved very civilly. While they were 

 hovering about us, a bird was shot from the ship, as 

 it was swimming upon the water : at this they showed 

 less surprise than we expected, and taking up the 

 bird, they tied it to a fishing line that was towing 

 astern ; as an acknowledgment for this favour, we gave 

 them a piece of cloth : but notwithstanding this effect 

 of our fire-arms, and this interchange of civilities, as 

 soon as it grew dark, they sung their war-song, and 

 attem.pted to tow away the buoy of the anchor. Two 

 or tlu'ee muskets were then fired over them, but this 

 seemed rather to make them angry than afraid, and 

 they went away, threatening that to-morrow they 

 would return with more force, and be the death of 

 us all ; at the same time sending off a boat, which 

 they told us was going to another part of the bay for 

 assistance. 



There was some appearance of generosity, as well 

 as courage, in acquainting us with the time when 

 they intended to make their attack, but they for- 

 feited all credit which this procured them, by coming 

 secretly upon us in the night, when they certainly 

 hoped to find us asleep : upon approaching the ship, 

 they found themselves mistaken, and therefore re- 

 tired without speaking a word, supposing that they 

 were too early ; after some time, they came a second 

 time, and being again disappointed, they retired as 

 silently as before. 



In the morning, at day-break, they prepared to 

 effect by force what they had in vain attempted by 

 stealth and artifice : no less than twelve canoes came 

 against us w^ith about a hundred and fifty men, all 

 armed with pikes, lances, and stones. As they could 

 do nothing till they came very near the ship, Tupia 

 was ordered to expostulate with them, and if possi- 

 ble divert them from their purpose : during the con- 

 versation, they appeared to be sometimes friendly and 

 sometimes otherwise ; at length, however, they began 



VOL. I. Y 



