1774-' ROUND THE WORLD. 14? 



rain. In the morning we unmoored, and shifted our 

 birth farther out of the cove, for the more ready get- 

 ting to sea the next morning ; for, at present, the 

 caulkers had not finished the sides, and till this work 

 was done we could not sail. Our friends having 

 brought us a very large and seasonable supply of fish, 

 I bestowed on Pedero a present of an empty oil-jar, 

 which made him as happy as a prince. Soon after, 

 he and his party left the cove, and retired to their 

 proper place of abode, with all the treasure they had 

 received from us. I believe that they gave away 

 many of the things they, at different times, got from 

 us, to their friends, and neighbours, or else parted 

 with them to purchase peace of their more powerful 

 enemies ; for we never saw any of our presents after 

 they were once in their possession ; and every time we 

 visited them they were as much in want of hatchets, 

 nails, &c. to all appearance, as if they never had had 

 any among them. 



I am satisfied that the people in this Sound, who 

 are, upon the whole, pretty numerous, are under no 

 regular form of government, or so united as to form 

 one body politic. The head of each tribe, or family, 

 seems to be respected ; and that respect may, on 

 some occasions, command obedience \ but I doubt if 

 any amongst them have either a right or power to 

 enforce it. The day we were with Tringo-boohee, 

 the people came from all parts to see us, which he 

 endeavoured to prevent. But though he went so far 

 as to throw stones at some, I observed that very few 

 paid any regard either to his words or actions ; and 

 yet this man was spoken of as a chief of some note. 

 I have, before, made some remarks on the evils at- 

 tending these people for want of union among them- 

 selves ; and the more I was acquainted with them ? 

 the more I found it to be so. Notwithstanding they 

 are cannibals, they are naturally of a good disposition^ 

 and have not a little humanity, 



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