APR. 1769 THEFTS OF THE NATIVES 77 



it back, and by signs told him that I wanted nothing but 

 our own, which his people had stolen : on this he gave me 

 into the charge of my faithful companion his wife, who had 

 never budged an inch from my elbow. With her I sat 

 down on the mat, and conversed by signs for nearly half an 

 hour, after which time the chief came back bringing the 

 snuff-box and the case of the opera-glass, which, with vast 

 pleasure in his countenance, he returned to the owners ; but 

 his face changed when he was shown that the case was 

 empty. He then took me by the hand and walked along 

 shore with great rapidity about a mile ; on the way he re- 

 received a piece of cloth from a woman which he carried in 

 his hand. At last we came to a house in which we were 

 received by a woman : to her he gave the cloth and told us 

 to give her some beads. The cloth and beads were left on 

 the floor by us, and she went out and returned in about a 

 quarter of an hour, bringing the glass in her hand, with a 

 vast expression of joy on her countenance, for few faces have 

 I seen with more expression in them than those of these 

 people. The beads were now returned with a positive 

 resolution of not accepting them, and the cloth was as 

 resolutely forced upon Dr. Solander as a recompense for his 

 loss ; he then made a present of beads to the lady. Our 

 ceremonies ended, we returned to the ship, admiring a 

 policy, at least equal to any one we had seen in civilised 

 countries, exercised by people who have never had any 

 advantage but mere natural interest uninstructed by the 

 example of any civilised country. 



15th. This morning we landed at the watering-place, 

 bringing with us a small tent, which we set up. Whilst 

 doing this we were attended by some hundreds of the natives, 

 who showed a deference and respect to us which much 

 amazed me. I drew a line before them with the butt end 

 of my musket, and made signs to them to sit down without 

 it. They obeyed instantly, and not a man attempted to set 

 a foot within it. Above two hours were thus spent, and 

 not the least disorder being committed, we proposed to 

 walk into the woods and see if to-day we might not find 



