OF LA PERQUSE. $f 



Towards the middle of the day, a few na- 

 tives appeared on the eafl: bank, at the diftance 

 of a kilometer from our diip ; they were fooa 

 joined by fome others, and we had already 

 counted ten of them, when they kindled a fire, 

 iTound which they fat down. From time to 

 time they anfwered with fliouts of joy thafe of 

 pur failors. We did not delay landing in great 

 jiumbers, to have a near view of them. When 

 .we were at a little diftance from the fhore, they 

 advanced towards us without arms ; and their 

 -fmiling looks left us no doubt that our vifit 

 gave them pleafure. They were as naked as 

 4:hofe whom we had met with in the environs 

 of Port D'Entrecallcaux ; but we v.cre not a 

 little furprifed to fee, that mofl: of them kept 

 their left hand at the extremity of their pre- 

 puce; doubtlcfs in confequence of a bad ha- 

 bit ; for we did not obferve any thing like it 

 jn others v.ho came to join them liiortly after. 

 Tiieir joy difplayed itfelf in loud burits of 

 laughter; at the fame time they held their 

 -hands upon their head, ami flamped with their 

 feet, w hi!e their countenance flicwcd that they 

 were extremely glad to fee us. We perfuaded 

 them to fit down, fpeaking to Lhein in the lan- 

 guaLje of tlie other natives \\ horn we hud aheady 

 iir:i v.ich at that extremity of New-Holland. 

 They undcrilpod us perfectly well, and immc- 

 I- 2 d lately 



