INTERVIEW WITH NATIVES. 181 



to be about a quarter of an hour earlier than at Port 

 Usborne. We remained at this anchorage till the 

 3rd of April, during which time several unsuccess- 

 ful hauls were made with the seine, but some addi- 

 tions were made to the collection of Natural History, 

 particularly in the ornithological branch. It is not 

 a little remarkable, that fish should be so scarce on 

 this part of the coast, a facts also noticed by Captain 

 Kino\ 



o 



April 1. — This morning five natives made their 

 appearance on the beach. Captain Wickhara and 

 myself went on shore, in order if possible to induce 

 them to visit the ship : on landing he recognized 

 them for old acquaintances, and I gave the eldest of 

 the party, a handkerchief upon which he seemed to 

 have set his affections ; however when he under- 

 stood our wish for the com.pany of himself and 

 friends on board, he was with difficulty induced to 

 retain it. None but those who have made the ex- 

 periment, are aware of what has to be overcome 

 before any sort of intercourse can be carried on by 

 signs ; or how often, among the most intelligent, the 

 greatest mistakes must of necessity occur. I have 

 since thought, remembering what passed during 

 this interview, that while we were making signs to 

 them that on board they would find something to 

 eat, each man's fears suggested the probability of 

 *' a certain convocation,'* " not where he eats, but 

 where he is eaten," and induced him to decline 

 standing treat upon the occasion. 



