THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDS. Ill 



branches and cocoa-nuts. M. Cliamisso soon 

 returned, delighted at liis kind reception ; he 

 brought with him a youth of eighteen years of age, 

 who was announced as the Tamon, and whom the 

 people followed in several boats, when they saw 

 their young chief rowing from shore. We now 

 had a numerous company, and were presented 

 with cocoa-nuts in abundance, for wliich old pieces 

 of iron were joyfully received. The Tamon, who 

 was immediately introduced to me, took a lively 

 interest in every object that surrounded him : an 

 old man, who appeared to be his Mentor, did not 

 leave him a moment, and both at last hit upon tlie 

 idea of measuring the length and breadth of the ship, 

 as well as the heighth of the mast, with a cord, which 

 was carefully preserved. Seeing two gentlemen fenc- 

 ing on the quarter-deck, he begged us to give him 

 a foil, and showed much aptness in the lesson. In the 

 afternoon the Tamon seated himself next me in the 

 boat, and we rowed, accompanied by all the canoes, 

 on shore, where the people assembled to look at the 

 Tamon of the ship ; but my young friend, who did 

 not quit my side, immediately conducted me to an 

 elderly woman, whom he introduced to me as his 

 mother, and queen of the island ; she sat on a mat 

 before a pretty house, surrounded by three veryugly, 

 old and stately dames. I was obliged to sit next to 

 her, and the people formed a close circle round us. 

 Duly appreciating the place of honour, I exerted 

 all my eloquence, but it was in vain ; I obtained no 



