NWE, OB SAVAGE ISLAND. 23 



natives, who liad followed me, took a fancy to feel my legs, 

 arms, and hands, in order, I suppose, to get some notion of 

 my strength, which seemed to surprise them, and as they 

 expressed a wish to have me try the force of my hands upon 

 theirs, I satisfied them by a grip which made them shout 

 out, and appeared to astonish them. I may notice that the 

 children occasionally placed one of their hands upon their 

 mouth in passing before me. When I arrived at the top of • 

 the cliff I found a great number of women assembled, who 

 seemed to have come there together by appointment during 

 their husbands' absence. They laughed like mad, and my 

 appearance did not in the least disconcert them. Several 

 were very pretty and engaging ; one of them appeared 

 delighted at my taking notice of her baby. I took leave of 

 them, saluting them with the word Alofa, which they re- 

 echoed with one voice. 



On returning to the ' Curagoa,' I picked up on the rocks 

 several curious Algas for my collection. I found the ship's 

 deck covered with natives, and I learnt that at least fifty 

 canoes had boarded her during my absence. The Commo- 

 dore had found these visitors so annoying, so importunate, 

 so wearisome, such obstinate beggars, that he was im- 

 patiently waiting my return to stand out to sea again ; and 

 thus it was that, contrary to my expectations, I was obhged 

 to limit my observation of the island to a few hours' survey. 

 Our boats were hoisted in, and the signal for sailing soon 

 given. It was then a very striking scene presented itself: 

 as soon as the ship began to move, the natives who had 



