116 Account of the Caroline Islands. 
ing their wish to come on board our ship. Scarcely was a rope 
thrown them, with which to make fast, before all who were in the 
first canoe, except two, who staid to watch it, were on board,— 
jumping upon the deck, without manifesting the slightest embarras- 
ment, or the least fear or distrust. ‘The most of them were naked, 
except a girdle about the waist. Many were furnished with a large 
pyramidal hat, made from the leaves of the pandanas, and which 
completely protected them from the sun. Necklaces of shells, or 
flowers, or made from the cocoa-nut shell, flowers in their hair and 
ears, were the sole ornaments of their dress. They manifested the 
greatest pleasure in mingling with us, laughing with the utmost glee 
for joy. They tock an interest in whatever they beheld, and espe- 
cially in whatever related to the vessel and to navigation. We saw 
the chiefs of these islanders give orders to take all the dimensions of 
the vessel ; they examined with care the direction of the sails, and 
collected all possible information respecting our ship. 
Commerce was immediately agreed upon between them and our- 
selves. They brought cocoa-nuts, fish, shells, various articles of 
their costume, fishing apparatus, bows, arrow root, poultry, &c., 
which they offered in exchange for articles of European manufacture. 
Iron was preferred before every thing else, especially knives and 
scissors, which appeared to them to possess an inestimable value. 
They appreciated very highly also, needles, but what most excited 
their admiration was the hatchet. Various trinkets, glass pearls, 
mirrors, ribbands, handkerchiefs, attracted particularly their attention 
and were received with delight. We had occasion often to remark 
that they pee useful articles to such as were menely ornamen- 
tal. 
They discovered no fear in descending into our cabins, en our 
occupations particularly attracted their attention. They were fond 
of seeing us paint, and examine with attention, the productions of 
their islands. On first beholding a looking glass they were struck 
with astonishment, and could with the greatest difficulty be made to 
believe that what they saw in it was their own image. Whenseated 
at the table with us, they behaved with the utmost propriety, making 
use of knives, forks, and spoons. The soup and all the other dishes 
we offered them were quite to their taste, often pronouncing them 
mammal, which signifies good. Sugar, biscuit and rice were consid- 
ered delicious; coffee delighted them much; but spirits and even 
wine were tasted with perfect disgust. Decanters of glass, transpa- 
