Account of the Caroline Islands. 117 
rent as the water they contained, excited in them more astonish- 
ment than any thing else in our possession. 
It is impossible to find more good nature than among these island- 
ers; completely ignorant of the use or the value of the articles of- 
fered to their view, their first wish was to handle them. It may, 
therefore be imagined how eager they were to touch the sextants, 
watches, &c.; but a simple caution was necessary to check them, 
and this would suffice to cause them to inform the absent, respecting 
the forbidden articles. ‘They were allowed the most perfect licence 
on board the vessel, going through the cabins at pleasure, and yet 
they never abused the confidence we reposed in them. 
They made us acquainted with their chiefs at the first interview, 
towards whom they observed the most perfect submission ; but for 
the rest, it was impossible to remark, a distinction of rank among 
them: they seemed to be all of the same rank, nor did they mani- 
fest any particular deference towards their chiefs. They were very 
pressing in their invitations to us, to visit them, and to pass some time 
on shore. As soon as we had come to anchor in their bay, we were 
besieged with canoes. The male population came to examine our 
ship, but we allowed only the chiefs, and a few others to come on 
board. The most perfect gayety reigned among themall. Although 
we have frequently seen these islanders, we have never witnessed 
any quarrels among them. Always gay, always contented, they 
seemed to have preserved their innocence and naiveté from their 
first infancy. They never brought their wives or any females on 
board. The whiteness of our skin attracted their admiration ; and 
they obviously preferred it -to their own complexion. They con- 
ted us on shore with the greatest cordiality, and introduced us to 
a large house, where were assembled the chiefs ; they spread mats for 
us to be seated, and offered us the rarest, and the best things they 
possessed for our refreshment. The building was a large roof, sup- 
ported by pillars, and covered with cocoa-nut leaves. ‘The front 
side of the building, as well as its floor, was completely covered by 
Persons ; in its center was a kind of hearth for fire, and in the interior 
were perceptible numerous partitions, or screens, behind which were 
posited fishing apparatus, &c. The chiefs accepted with pleasure 
presents we offered them, and gave us in return, mats, cordage, 
and cocoa-nuts, 
When we commenced our researches respecting the natural histo- 
ty of the island, all the youth offered us their services; but when 
