CAPTAIN TUCKEY’S NARRATIVE. 103 
return to England, English trading vessels would bring 
them the objects necessary to them, and also teach them to 
build houses, and make cloth,” &c. &c. These benevolent 
intentions were however far beyond their comprehension ; 
and as little could they be made to understand that curiosity 
was also one of the motives of our visit; or that a ship could 
come such a distance for any other purpose but to trade or 
to fight; and for two hours they rung the changes on the 
questions “* are you come to trade,” and “ are you come to 
make war.” At last, however, they appeared to be convinced 
that I came for neither purpose; and on my assuring them 
that though I did not trade myself, I should not meddle even 
with the slave traders of any nation, they expressed their 
satisfaction by the frequent performance of sakzla, one of 
the chief men first starting up and making gestures with his 
arms, like a fugle man at exercise, and all the company 
striking their chests at the termination of every motion. 
This ceremony they afterwards repeated whenever any 
thing was said that pleased them; and with redoubled 
energy when I shook hands with the Chenoo. The keg 
of spliced rum which I had brought as a part of my present 
to the Chenoo, was now produced, together with an 
English white earthen-ware wash-hand bason covered with 
dirt ; into which some of the liquor was poured and dis- 
