FIRST VOYAGE 37 



those small, but there were a great number of canoes, which 

 excelled any they had seen, both in size and workmanship. 

 Notwithstanding the fertility of the country, provision of 

 every kind was scarce. 



Towards the southernmost part of the island they found a 

 good harbour, formed by a reef, and the country around 

 remarkably fruitful. 



They landed again a little farther to the east. Mathiabo, 

 the chief, with whom they had no acquaintance, nor had 

 ever seen before, soon came to them, and supplied them 

 with cocoa-nuts and bread-fruit. They purchased a hog 

 for a glass bottle, which lie took in preference to every 

 other thing that was offered him. They saw here a turkey- 

 cock and a goose, which the Dolphin left on the island ; 

 they were remarkably fat, and seemed to be greatly admired 

 by the Indians. 



A very uncommon sight presented itself in a house near 

 this place ; several human jaw-bones were fastened to a 

 board of a semicircular form ; they seemed fresh, and had 

 not lost any of their teeth. Mr. Banks could obtain no 

 explanation of this mystery. They quitted this place, and 

 arrived in a bay on the north-west side. 



Several canoes came off with some beautiful women, who 

 appeared to be desirous of their going on shore, to which 

 they readily assented. They met with a friendly reception 

 from the chief, whose name was Wiverou, at whose house 

 they supped, in company with Mathiabo. Part of the house 

 was allotted for them to sleep in ; and soon after supper they 

 retired to rest. Mathiabo having obtained a cloak from Mr. 

 Banks, under pretence of using it as a coverlet, immediately 

 made off with it, unperceived by any one. News of the 

 robbery was soon brought by one of the natives ; in conse- 

 quence of which they set out in pursuit of the thief, but had 

 proceeded a very little way, before they were met by a 

 person bringing back the cloak, which Mathiabo had given 

 up through fear. The house, upon their return, was entirely 

 deserted ; and about four in the morning the sentinel gave 

 the alarm that the boat was missing. Their situation was 

 now extremely alarming ; the party consisting of four had 

 but a single musket and two pocket pistols, without a spare 

 ball or a charge of powder. After remaining in this dis- 

 tressing state of anxiety for a considerable time, dreading 

 the advantage the Indians might take of it, to their great 

 joy, the boat, which had been driven away by the tide, 

 returned ; and they departed. 



This place is situated on the north side of Tiarrabou, the 

 south-east peninsula of the island. It is fertile and popu- 

 lous, and the inhabitants everywhere behaved with civility. 



