204 CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF NEW ZEALAND CH. ix 



every man was almost covered with it, and at the same time 

 others where scarcely a man had a spot, except on his lips, 

 which seems to be always essential. 



These people would not part with any of their arms, etc., 

 for any price we could offer. At last, however, one produced 

 an axe of talc and offered it for cloth ; it was given, and the 

 canoe immediately put off with it ; a musket ball was fired 

 over their heads, on which they immediately came back and 

 returned the cloth, but soon after put off and went ashore. 



In the afternoon other canoes came off, and through some 

 inattention of the officers were suffered to cheat, unpunished 

 and unfrightened ; this put one of the midshipmen who had 

 suffered upon a droll, though rather mischievous, revenge. 

 He got a fishing-line, and when the canoe was close to the 

 ship hove the lead at the man who had cheated him with 

 such good success that he fastened the hook into his back, 

 on which he pulled with all his might ; the Indian kept 

 back, so that the hook soon broke in the shank, leaving its 

 beard in the man, no very agreeable legacy. 



30th. Several canoes came off to the ship very early, but 

 sold little or nothing ; indeed, no merchandise that we can 

 show them seems to take with them. Our island cloth, 

 which used to be so much esteemed, has now entirely lost 

 its value. The natives have for some days past told us 

 that they have some of it ashore, and showed us small 

 pieces in their ears, which they said was of their own 

 manufacture. This accounts for their having been once so 

 fond of it, and now setting so little value upon it. Towards 

 noon, however, they sold us a little dried fish for paper, 

 chiefly, or very white Indian cloth. 



In the evening we went ashore upon the continent. 

 The people received us very civilly, and were as tame as we 

 could wish. One general observation I here set down : they 

 always, after one night's consideration, have acknowledged 

 our superiority, but hardly ever before. I have often seen 

 a man, when his nearest companion was wounded or killed 

 by our shot, not give himself the trouble to inquire how or 

 by what means he was hurt. When they attack they work 



