204 CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF NEW ZEALAND cu, 1x 
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 tale 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. 
30¢h, 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. 
aman, 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 
