STATEMENT OF DE. VALLACK. 249 



from under the mangroves^ with from five to ten 

 natives in each, (there was yet no flag- or any token 

 of white people on the hill) ; the canoes gradually 

 neared in a string, and one came cautiously 

 alongside, making signs and saying " ferraman," ^ 

 " ferraman," " white man," " white man," and 

 pointing towards Jackey's mountain. We were at 

 first douhtful whether they were disposed to be 

 friendly or not, and afterwards seeing some children 

 with them and one or two females, we concluded 

 they were disposed to be friendly, and that they knew 

 the parties at the camp. A few Hnes were written 

 to the party at the camp, stating a vessel was in the 

 bay, and the bearer, one of the natives, would take 

 them to it. This was given to one of the natives in 

 the first canoe, and Jackey, whom the natives recog- 

 nised, beckoned and motioned to them to take the 

 note to the camp. In the meantime the Captain 

 and I had determined as soon as the boat could 

 be got readjr, to proceed according to .lackey's 

 instructions to the camp. The boat left with our 

 party, and Jackey directed us some distance off in 

 the wake of the canoes, there being- nothing but a 

 mangrove swamp on the shore near us. We landed 

 beside of a creek, knee- deep in water, among some 

 mangroves. Here we got out of the boat, Jackey, 

 the Captain, Barrett, and myself, — Tom, the sailor 

 who had accompanied us before, sajing he could 

 not go, that he had a bad leg. We were a little 

 disappointed here, but said nothing-, and proceeded. 



