188 CAPTAIN COOK'S VOYAGES 



cloth, or indeed any other colour ; but red was their 

 favourite. 



After dinner, Captain Cook went on shore with two armed 

 boats, having with them one of the natives who had attached 

 himself to him. They landed on a sandy beach before a 

 vast number of people, who had got together with no other 

 intent than to see them ; for many of them had not a stick 

 in their hands ; consequently they were received with 

 great courtesy, and with the surprise natural for people to 

 express at seeing men and things so new to them as they 

 must be. The Captain made presents to all those his new 

 friend pointed out, who were either old men, or such as 

 seemed to be of some note ; but he took not the least notice 

 of a few women who stood behind the crowd, keeping back 

 the Captain's hand when he was going to give them some 

 beads and medals. Here they found a chief, whose name 

 was Teabooma ; and they had not been on shore above ten 

 minutes before he called for silence. Being instantly 

 obeyed by every individual present, he made a short 

 speech ; and soon after another chief having called for 

 silence, made a speech also. It was pleasing to see with 

 what attention they were heard. Their speeches were 

 composed of short sentences ; to each of which t\vo or Lhree 

 old men answered, by nodding their heads, and giving a 

 kind of grunt, significant of approbation. It was impos- 

 sible for them to know the purport of these speeches ; 

 but they had reason to think they were favourable to 

 them, on whose account they doubtless were made. 



The natives conducted them, upon inquiring for water, 

 about two miles round the coast, to a little straggling village 

 near some mangroves ; there they landed, and w r ere shown 

 fresh water. The ground near this village was finely 

 cultivated, being laid out in plantations of sugar-canes, 

 plantains, yams, and other roots. They heard the crowing 

 of cocks, but saw none. As they proceeded up the creek, 

 Mr. Forster having shot a duck flying over their heads, 

 which was the first use these people saw made of firearms, 

 the native, whom Captain Cook distinguished by the name 

 of his friend, begged to have it ; and when he landed, told 

 Ilis countryman in what manner it was killed. The day 

 being far spent they took leave of the people, and got on 

 board a little after sunset. 



Next morning they were visited by some hundreds of the 

 natives ; so that before ten o'clock, their decks, and all 

 other parts of the ship were quite full. The Captain's friend, 

 who was of the number, brought him a few roots, but all the 

 others came empty in respect to eatables. Some few had 

 with them their arms, such as clubs and darts, which they 



