148 SUDDEN ATTACHMENTS. 
the sides of the ship, and the deck was soon 
transformed into a busy market, where all was 
frolic and fun; the goods were offered with a 
jest, and the bargains concluded with laughter. 
In a short time each Tahaitian had selected a 
Russian associate, to whom, with a fraternal 
embrace, he tendered his wish to exchange 
names,—a ceremony which implied a pledge to 
surrender to the new friend whatever he might 
wish for. 
It is probable that these sudden attachments 
were not quite disinterested; a view of pro- 
curing a better barter for their goods might 
have had some effect in producing the zeal 
with which they were struck up; but they cer- 
tainly had every appearance of. sincerity. and 
cordiality, and in less than an hour these 
friendly allies were seen walking in couples, 
arm in arm, about the deck, as though they had 
been acquainted for years. 
Our clothing appeared to be prized by the 
Tahaitians above every thing we offered them, 
ond the possession of any article of this kind set 
them leaping, as if out of their wits, for joy. On 
this day we saw no females ; and when we were 
