Jan. 1828. MARIA GOES ON BOARD. 115 
forfeiting advantages and comforts to be derived from traffic 
would induce them to restrain their resentment. 
I brought no spirits; for which, after a short time, Maria 
asked, complaining that she was very ill, and had sore eyes, 
and for some time past had nothing but water to drink, and 
wood to smoke. Her illness was evidently assumed, but her 
eyes seemed highly inflamed; and no wonder, for the upper 
part of her face was smeared over with an ochrous red pig- 
ment, even to the very edge of her eyelids: indeed, the whole 
tribe had ornamented themselves similarly, in compliment, I 
suppose, to our visit. 
As I prepared to return on board, Maria’s importunity 
induced me to allow her to accompany me; upon which she 
began to muster up all her empty bags, old mantles, and skins, 
and, attended by her husband, her brother-in-law, his wife and 
daughter, got into the boat. While going on board, the spray 
washed the painted countenances of our visitors, much to their 
regret. 
Upon reaching the ship, I ordered them to be regaled with 
meat and biscuit, of which they partook very sparingly, but 
took care to put what remained into their bags. Some spirits 
and water, too, which I thought would be soon dispatched, 
and which had been plentifully diluted to prevent their being 
made tipsy, they emptied into bottles to take on shore “for 
the evening,” when, as Maria said, they would be “very 
drunk.” 
Among various things shown to amuse them was a musical 
snuff-box, which I had procured for the express purpose of 
exciting their astonishment; but I was surprised to find, that 
a penny-whistle produced a ten-fold greater effect upon their 
senses. This indifference to musical sounds | should not have 
suspected, because they frequently sing, though certainly in a 
monotonous manner. 
As soon as their repast was concluded, the party, except 
Maria and the girls, commenced bartering their mantles and 
skins, and, by the time their stock was expended, they had 
amassed a large quantity of biscuit, and a bundle of various 
12 
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