1774« ROUND THE WORLD. ()9 



CHAP. VI. 



DEPARTURE FROM TANNA ; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS 

 INHABITANTS, THEIR MANNERS AND ARTS. 



Ouring the night the wind hud veered round to 

 S. E. As this was favourable for getting- out of the 

 harbour, at four o'clock in the morning of the 20th, 

 we began to unmoor, and at eight, having weighed 

 our last^anchor, put to sea. As soon as we were 

 clear of the land, I brought to, waiting for the launch 

 which was left behind to take up a kedge-anchor and 

 hawser we had out, to cast by. About day-break a 

 noise was heard in the woods, nearly abreast of us, 

 on the east side of the harbour, not unlike singing of 

 psalms. I was told that the like had been heard at the 

 same time every morning, but it never came to my 

 knowledge till now, when it was too late to learn the 

 occasion of it. Some were of opinion, that at the 

 east point of the harbour (where we observed, in 

 coming in, some houses, boats, &c.) was something 

 sacred to religion, because some of our people had 

 attempted to go to this point, and were prevented by 

 the natives. I thought, and do still think, it was 

 only owing to a desire they showed, on every occa- 

 sion, of fixing bounds to our excursions. So far as 

 we had once been, we might go again ; but not far- 

 ther with their consent. But by encroaching a little 

 every time, our country expeditions were insensibly 

 extended without giving the least umbrage. Besides, 

 these morning ceremonies, whether religious or not, 

 were not performed down at that point, but in a part 

 where some of our people had been daily. 



I cannot say what might be the true cause of these 

 people showing such dislike to our going up into their 

 country. It might be owing to a naturally jealous 

 disposition, or perhaps to their being accustomed to 



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