266 DAMPIER'S SOJOURN IN GREAT NICOBAR 



arms, and then we must have lain at the mercy of our enemies, 

 who stood, 200 or 300 men in every bay where they saw us 

 coming, to keep us off.* 



"When we set out we rowed directly to the north end, 

 and presently were followed by seven or eight of their canoes. 

 They, keeping at a distance, rowed away faster than we did, 

 and got to the bay before us ; and there, with about twenty 

 more canoes full of men, they all landed and stood to hinder 

 us from landing. But we rowed in within 100 yards of them. 

 Then we lay still, and I took up my gun and presented at 

 them, at which they all fell down flat on the ground. But I 

 turned myself about, and to show that we did not intend to 

 harm them, I fired my gun off to sea, so that they might 

 see the shot graze on the water. As soon as my gun was 

 loaded again, we rowed gently in ; at which some of them 

 withdrew. The rest, standing up, did still cut and hew the 

 air, making signs of their hatred ; till I once more frightened 

 them with my gun, and discharged it as before. Then more 

 of them sneaked away, leaving only five or six men on the 

 bay. Then we rowed in again, and Mr Hall, taking his sword 

 in his hand, leaped ashore ; and I stood ready with my gun 

 to fire at the Indians if they had injured him, but they did 

 not stir, till he came to them, and saluted them. 



" He shook them by the hand, and by such signs of friend- 

 ship as he made, the peace was concluded, ratified, and confirmed 

 by all that were present ; and others that were gone were 

 again called back, and they all very joyfully accepted of a peace. 

 This became universal all over the island, to the great joy of 

 the inhabitants. There was no ringing of bells, nor bonfires 

 made, for that is not the custom here, but gladness appeared 

 in their countenances, for now they could go out and fish 

 again without fear of being taken. This peace was not more 

 welcome to them than to us ; for now the inhabitants brought 

 their melory again to us, which we bought for old rags and 



* This is probably an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the island 

 carried then a far greater population than it does at the present. 



