INHABITAI^TS OP THE POGGY ISLANDS. gl 



and had an opportunity of hcwing the accounts 

 confirmed by making ufe of the different interpreters. 



The name of Naffau has probably been given to thefe 

 iflands by fome Dutch navigator. By the inhabitants 

 themfelves they are called Poggj, and the natives are 

 called by the people of Sumatra, Orang Mantawee ; 

 this latter is probably from their own language, Man- 

 taoo fignifying a man. 



After having been two days at an anchor, the na- 

 tives began to come down from their villages in their 

 canoes, bringing fruit of various kinds, and on invita- 

 tion they readily came on board. The chief of See 

 Cockup^ a village in the ilraits, was among them, but 

 not diftinguiflied from the reft by dreis, or dignity of 

 demeanor. On coming on board the veffel they did 

 not Ihew any figns of apprehenfion or embarraffment, 

 but expreffed a Itrong degree of curiolity, and a de- 

 fire to examine every thing minutely. We prefented 

 tJiem plates of boiled rice, which they would not touch 

 till it had been previoufly taftcd by one of our own 

 people ; after which they eat it to the laft grain. 

 This circumftance feemed to indicate the ufe of poifon 

 among them. They behaved while on board with 

 much decorum, and did not ihew the leaft difpoiition 

 for pilfering, but freely alked for, what they faw and 

 wifhed to polTefs ; not expreffing howcv*er any ill will, 

 when they met with a denial. We made them pre- 

 fents of beads, frnall looking glaffes, Birmingham 

 japanned fnuff boxes, &c. all which were very ac- 

 ceptable, as was alfo tobacco, of which they appear 

 to be very fond ; they ufe it by fmoaking. They ap- 

 peared to live in great friendlliip and harmony with 

 each other, and voluntarily divided among their com- 

 panions what was given to them. 



Aftee having remained fome hours on board, dur- 

 VoL. VI. F ing 



