40 FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS 



his neck hung various gay ornaments : he was dif- 

 ferently tattooed, and much more than the others, 

 which gave him the appearance of a man in armour: 

 his face, animated by a pair of most expressive 

 eyes, was adorned with whiskers. Astonishment, 

 fear, and curiosity, alternated in his countenance ; 

 but, overcoming his feehngs, he advanced towards 

 me with a majestic step, and repeatedly utter- 

 ing the word Aidara ! presented to me his shell- 

 horn.* 



His companions laid the fruit at my feet, looked 

 at us with constrained friendliness, but trembled 

 very much, particularly one of them, who had 

 really convulsive contractions. We tried to inspire 

 the embassy with courage, in which we succeeded 

 pretty well, except with this one; and they seemed 

 much surprised at our friendly behaviour. I had 

 a red cloth spread on the shore, invited the chief 

 to sit down, and sat down myself next to him, 

 while the others, standing, formed a circle round 

 us. He sat with much dignity after the Asiatic 

 fashion, became more and more animated, and 

 asked us many questions, sometimes pointing to 

 the sea, sometimes to the sun, and then to the sky. 

 I at last conceived that he wished to have it 

 explained whether we came from the sky or the 



* I have learnt that the leader makes use of this horn in war, 

 and presents it only to his conqueror. They probably took us for 

 supernatural beings, and consequently thought themselves, 

 already vanquished. 



