278 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



not allowed to fpeak, but they joined their ligns 

 of invitation to thofe of their chief. 



We endeavoured on our fide to prevail on 

 them to come nearer to our fhips. They could 

 not renYt the fight of lbme large pieces of red 

 cloth, and after having. appeared to hold a coun- 

 cil, they advanced a little. 



Some of the officers, imagining that the found 

 of the bell would be agreeable to them, the bells 

 of both fhips were immediately fet a going ; but, 

 as feveral perlbna had forefeen, this noife, inftead 

 of attracting the lavages, made them take to 

 flight : however, various flags which we waved 

 about, and a few tunes which our fiddler played, 

 determined them to come back towards us. 



In hopes that prefents might gain their confi- 

 dence, we had juft thrown to them an empty bottle, 

 and we fully expected that they would lay hold 

 of it as foon a> it was near them, but they doubt- 

 confidered it as a fatal gift, for they looked at 

 it only to get out of its way. 



Son and knives faflened on a plank 



which was lowered down to them, gave rife to 

 fhouU of joy, when the fa v age who untied them 

 held them Up to the reft: thefe natives therefore 

 know the uie of iron. 



I to touch the bottle ; but 



the prefents which they had now received gained 



their confidence, and one of them went and 



took 



