1774- ROUND THE WORLD. 99 



answered, by nodding their heads, and giving a kind 

 of grunt, significant, as I thought, of approbation. 

 It was impossible for us to know the purport of these 

 speeches ; but we had reason to think they were 

 favourable to us, on whose account they doubtless 

 were made. I kept my eyes fixed on the people all 

 the time, and saw nothing to induce me to think 

 otherwise. While we were with them, having in- 

 quired, by signs, for fresh water, some pointed to the 

 east, and others to the west. My friend undertook 

 to conduct us to it, and embarked with us for that 

 purpose. We rowed about two miles up the coast 

 to the east, where the shore was mostly covered with 

 mangrove trees ; and entering amongst them, by a 

 narrow creek or river, which brought us to a little 

 straggling village above all the mangroves, there we 

 landed, and were shown fresh water. The ground 

 near this village was finely cultivated, being laid out 

 in plantations of sugar-canes, plantains, yams, and 

 other roots ; and watered by little rills, conducted by 

 art from the main stream, whose source was in the 

 hills. Here were some cocoa-nut trees, which did 

 not seem burdened with fruit. We heard the crow- 

 ing of cocks, but saw none. Some roots were baking 

 on a fire, in an earthen jar, which would have held 

 six or eight gallons ; nor did we doubt its being their 

 own manufacture. As we proceeded up the creek, 

 Mr. Forster having shot a duck flying over our heads, 

 which was the first use these people saw made of our 

 fire-arms, my friend begged to have it; and when he 

 landed, told his countrymen in what manner it was 

 killed. The day being far spent, and the tide not 

 permitting us to stay longer in the creek, we took 

 leave of the people, and got on board a little after 

 sunset. From this little excursion, I found that we 

 were to expect nothing from these people but the 

 privilege of visiting their country undisturbed. For 

 it was easy to see they had little else than good-nature 

 to bestow. In this they exceeded all the nations we 



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