OF LA TEROUSE. 2^1 



A marine who accompanied us had loft one 

 of his piftols ; we informed the inhabitants of 

 thefe huts of the circumrtance, and promifed 

 them a reward if they would bring it to us. 

 Half an hour after we had quitted them, we 

 faw with pleafure a favage running towards us 

 to deliver us this piftol, v.hich he told us he 

 had found on the fands. Indeed the foldier 

 recollecfted that he had forgot it in the place 

 where we had dined. A bit of cloth and a 

 waiftcoat were a very fatisfactory recompenfe 

 to this iflander. He followed us for fome time 

 with another New Caledonian, then took his 

 leave of us, pronouncing the word ala&uai, after 

 leaving nightly bowed his head, and went away 

 feemingly very well contented. 



When we had reached the beach, one of our 

 party having fired off a mulket to call the at- 

 tention of the people on hoard our fliip, and as 

 a lignal for them to fend us a boat, the noife 

 of the explolion collccicd round us upwards of 

 ciglity of the natives ; v/e prevailed on them to 

 fit down as they arrived, in order that they 

 might not come too near us, and notwithfland- 

 ing the difproportion of our number, for we 

 were only eight, they all complied w ith our re- 

 queft. One of thefe lavages had a fcA' fweetifh 

 oranges, which he readily fold mc for a pair of 

 KifTars, 



On 



