TO RADACK. 21 



repeated word, Aichray reminded us of New Year's 

 Island, where we had also heard it. We did not 

 succeed in enticing them nearer to the ship ; they 

 always contrived to keep at a certain distance 

 from us by tacking ; they looked at the ship with 

 much curiosity, but they took no notice of us. 

 At length I sent off a little boat to them, but as 

 soon as they saw it put off, they retired, and when 

 our people overtook them, they, terrified at their 

 approach, threw into it bread-fruit, cocoa-nuta, 

 and pandanus j some pieces of iron, however, which 

 were shown them lessened their fear, and they joy- 

 fully accepted them. They now talked a great 

 deal without our being able to understand one 

 another, and at length the savages left us, taking 

 their course to the fourth island, to which they 

 invited us by signs. From this first meeting it was 

 to be concluded, that we had to deal with a very 

 kind-hearted people. The manner of their tat- 

 tooing and dressing is the same as on New Year's 

 Island, and it is highly probable that it is the same 

 race. We found ourselves very happy in being in 

 this secure place, as the weather was gloomy, and 

 the wind very high. 



Early on the 7th of January, I sent the long-boat 

 and the Baydare for the stream-anchor which we 

 had left behind, and which they safely brought on 

 board in the afternoon. To-day our new acquaint- 

 ance manoeuvred round our ship, all adorned with 

 wreaths of flowers, and in the highest state. I 



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