STATEMENT OF DB. VALLACK. 249 



from under the mangroves, with from five to ten 

 natives in each, (there was yet no flag* or any token 

 of white people on the hill) ; the canoes g-radually 

 neared in a string*, and one came cautiously 

 along-side, making' sig"ns and saying" "ferraman," 

 ^' ferraman," " white man," " white man," and 

 pointing- towards Jackey's mountain. We were at 

 first doubtful whether they were disposed to be 

 friendly or not, and afterwards seeing- some children 

 with them and one or two females, we concluded 

 they were disposed to be friendly, and that they knew 

 the parties at the camp. A few lines were written 

 to the party at the camp, stating- a vessel was in the 

 bay, and the bearer, one of the natives, would take 

 them to it. This was g-iven to one of the natives in 

 the first canoe, and Jackey, whom the natives recog-- 

 nised, beckoned and motioned to them to tnke the 

 note to the camp. In the meantime the Captain 

 and I had determined as soon as the boat could 

 be g-ot ready, to proceed according* to Jackey's 

 instructions to the camp. The boat left with our 

 party, and Jackey directed us some distance off in 

 the wake of the canoes, there being* nothing- but a 

 mang'rove swamp on the shore near us. We landed 

 beside of a creek, knee- deep in water, among* some 

 mang-roves. Here we got out of the boat, Jackey, 

 the Captain, Barrett, and myself, — Tom, the sailor 

 who had accompanied us before, saying* he could 

 not go, that he had a bad leg. We were a little 

 disappointed here, but said nothing, and proceeded. 



