MAY 1769 SURF-SWIMMING 



93 



which he did about midnight. He was seen by the sentry, 

 who fired at him, on which he retreated most expedi- 

 tiously. 



18th. The apples 1 now begin to be ripe, and are brought 

 in large quantities very cheap; so that apple-pies are a 

 standing dish with us. 



29th. We saw the Indians amuse or exercise themselves 

 in a manner truly surprising. It was in a place where 

 the shore was not guarded by a reef, as is usually the case, 

 consequently a high surf fell upon the shore, and a more 

 dreadful one I have not often seen ; no European boat could 

 have landed in it, and I think no European who had by 

 any means got into it could possibly have saved his life, as 

 the shore was covered with pebbles and large stones. In 

 the midst of these breakers ten or twelve Indians were 

 swimming. Whenever a surf broke near them they dived 

 under it with infinite ease, rising up on the other side ; 

 but their chief amusement was being carried on by an old 

 canoe ; with this before them they swam out as far as the 

 outermost beach, then one or two would get into it, and 

 opposing the blunt end to the breaking wave, were hurried 

 in with incredible swiftness. Sometimes they were carried 

 almost ashore, but generally the wave broke over them 

 before they were half-way, in which case they dived and 

 quickly rose on the other side with the canoe in their hands. 

 It was then towed out again, and the same method repeated. 

 We stood admiring this very wonderful scene for fully half 

 an hour, in which time no one of the actors attempted to 

 come ashore, but all seemed most highly entertained with 

 their strange diversion. 



30th. Carpenters employed to-day in repairing the long- 

 boat, which is eaten in a most wonderful manner ; every 

 part of her bottom is like a honey-comb, some of the holes 

 being an eighth of an inch in diameter, such progress has 

 this destructive insect made in six weeks. 



31st. The day of observation now approaches. The 

 weather has for some days been fine, though in general, 



1 Spondias dulcis, Forst. 



