6 FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS 



came directly up to us. Their construction was 

 the same as we had observed the preceding year in 

 the Kutusof s group; but they were considerably 

 smaller, andentirelymade of very small boards. This 

 way of patching the boats together, proved a want 

 of timber ; they have this inconvenience, that the 

 water which runs in is obliged to be constantly baled 

 out; and as they can only leave the island in a perfect 

 calm, they have neither masts nor sails. After 

 much difficulty, they approached us within 100 

 fathoms, and then almost lay on their oars to 

 admire the ship with attention. Their behaviour 

 was sensible ; we observed neither the cries nor 

 grotesque movements with which savages generally 

 distinguish themselves on their first meeting with 

 Europeans: their whole attention was engaged 

 with the ship, which they surveyed with astonish- 

 ment, from the mast-head down to the water. We 

 did not look upon these savages with less curiosity, 

 who all appeared to me tall and well-shaped ; the 

 naturally dark colour of their bodies appeared 

 black at a small distance, because they are 

 tatooed ; they do not tatoo their faces. A high 

 forehead, an aquihne nose, and sparkling brown 

 eyes, advantageously distinguish the natives of 

 New Year's Island from the rest of the South Sea 

 islanders. They rub their long black hair with 

 cocoa oil, tie it together above the forehead, and 

 adorn it with flowers and wreaths made of shells ; 

 round their neck they wear ornaments of red 



