TO KAMTSCHATKA. 137 



we saw several, and which contain only two per- 

 sons each, correspond exactly with those mentioned 

 by La Peyrouse ; they are from five to six feet long, 

 and about one foot in breadth, made of narrow 

 boards joined together, and furnished on both sides 

 with an outrigger. La Peyrouse's opinion is, that the 

 islanders, for want of wood, will soon be quite at a 

 loss for boats ; but he is mistaken : it is true we 

 did not discover a single tree on this island, but 

 they build their canoes of drift-wood, which 

 the current brings in great quantities from the 

 coast of America. The bottom being very bad in 

 many places in Cook's Bay, T sent Lieutenant 

 SchischmarefF to find out, by means of the lead, a 

 more convenient anchoring-place, during which 

 time I kept the Rurick under sail. The islanders, 

 who had hitherto always followed the ship, con- 

 versing aloud, and seeming to be very good- 

 humoured, hastened on shore when they saw our 

 boat put out, which surprised me the more as the 

 inhabitants of Easter Island had previously placed 

 so much confidence in navigators. However, the 

 ship only appeared dangerous to them, for as soon 

 as our boat approached the shore, a number of 

 savages swam up to it, laden with taro roots, yams, 

 and banana fruits, which they readily exclianged 

 for little pieces of old iron hoops. Some dealt 

 very honestly, otiiers cunningly, and one even at- 

 tempted to obtain something by force. To deter 

 the others from being infected by his bad example. 



