00 V HALING AND PISHING. 



to purchase some, our captain and mate one da$ 

 boldly steered for the shore, at a point which 

 seemed like a good landing, determined to hold 

 Borne kind of parley with the natives. Quite a 

 number of these were gathered together, awaitir g 

 mr approach. 



As we got within hailing distance, one, evi- 

 dently an officer, for he had on the tattered re- 

 mains of an officer's dress coat, the epaulettes 

 being the most conspicuous object about him, 

 asked in broken French what we desired. 



The mate, who spoke French, answered in that 

 language, stating that we desired to obtain a bul- 

 lock, that we had some articles of trade in the 

 boat, and that our captain would be pleased to 

 open regular communications with the natives, 

 and purchase of them such articles of food as they 

 chose to sell. 



He was answered by a warning that if ever we 

 touched the shore, we would be massacred ; and 

 that the Queen of the island had sent strict orders 

 to the coast, that no communication whatever 

 should be held with strangers. No trade could 

 therefore be permitted, and he advised us to be 

 careful how we approached the shore, as the Mad- 

 agassy were bent upon showing no mercy to such 

 unfortunates as fell into their hands. 



Thus were all our hopes of fresh beef and a rnr> 

 ashore at once disappointed. 



As yet there were not among our crew any 

 igns of scurvy. In fact, we had been but a shorl 



