66 PAUMATO GKOU1'. 



two to three natives in each, came off to the ship. They 

 approached near enough to seize the ropes we threw them 

 to hold on by, but declined coming on board. They were 

 very gay and talkative, and every few minutes would en- 

 tertain us with a song which we supposed to have been 

 made up for the occasion, and to have an allusion to our 

 coming among them. 



They were a good-sized people, with dark-brown com- 

 plexions, and lively, interesting countenances. Their hair 

 was black and a little curly. Some had beards and a 

 moustache. Their dress consisted of a piece of matting 

 fastened to the waist. 



We very much admired their canoes ; they were beau- 

 tifully shaped, and so ingeniously put together that it was 

 some time before we were able to determine whether they 

 were formed of several pieces or one entire piece. They 

 were made of a number of pieces of cocoa-nut wood sewed 

 together with bark, and each was furnished with an out- 

 rigger. The paddles were from three to four feet long, 

 and the blade on one side was a little curved. 



These natives knew the use of iron, and coveted its 

 possession so much, that even w T hen we had our eyes upon 

 them they tried to steal all that came within their reach ; 

 two men were seen twisting and pulling away at the 

 main-chain plates, while others tried to draw the bolts out 

 of the ship's side. 



Their weapons were spears and clubs, several of which 

 were purchased for the government. In the bows of 

 several of the canoes were some species of shell-fish, which 

 were intended as food. 



Towards noon the canoes returned to the shore, and we 

 proceeded to ply to windward, in order to take our station 

 for surveying. 



