OF LA PEROLTSE. 2O7 



with their teeth the fibrous huflc of thcfc young 

 fruits, the nut of which was not yet formed ; 

 and they then ate the tender part which it en- 

 clofed, and which was much too four for us to 

 be able to rclifli. 



On our arrival on board, we learnt that two 

 iflanders had in the morning ftolen from Bon- 

 vouloir, an officer of our fliip, a watch-cap 

 and a fabre, at the time when he was on the 

 beach engaged in making aftronomical cbfer- 

 vations. However, the people who were on 

 fliore with him had traced on the fand round 

 the place of obfervation, a very large circle, 

 which they had forbidden thefe favages to pafs. 

 But two thieves having concerted their plan, 

 advanced fuddenly behind the officer, who had 

 juft fat down and put his fabre under him ; 

 immediately one of them feized his cap, and 

 at the moment when he got up to purfiie him, 

 the other made off with his fabre. This bold 

 trick was undoubtedly not their firfl: trial of 

 (kill. 



Night was coming on, and all our boats were 

 already alongfjde ; yet two of the officers, De- 

 welle and Willaumcz, w ere frill on fhore with two 

 of the fliip's company; but they foon arrived 

 on the beach, followed by a great man}' of iac 

 inhabitants. The Admiral's barge was imme- 

 diately fent for them, and brought them on 



board. 



