' CRUISEOFTHEPORPOISE. 297 



The tone of their voices was altogether discordant, at one moment 

 high and shrill, and at the next sinking to a deep gruff base. In 

 their harangues they slapped their thighs with great violence, and 

 some wrung their hands and cried, protruding their eyes, and making 

 frightful grimaces, reminding one strongly of maniacs in their utmost 

 frenzy. They were not capable of fixing their attention for a moment 

 on any one object, but with fitful rapidity they changed their regards 

 from one thing to another. 



Although they at first seemed unarmed, yet, upon a close inspec- 

 tion, it was seen that they had weapons concealed in their canoes. A 

 few of them succeeded in getting on board, and several articles were 

 pilfered from the poop-deck, among them a pea-jacket, which was 

 quickly and adroitly secreted in one of the canoes. A huge savage, 

 with his eyes apparently starting out of his head, seized the man-rope, 

 pulled the stanchion out of its place, and was in the act of passing 

 it over the side when it was rescued from him. The islanders 

 now became troublesome, and the order was given to clear the decks, 

 which was quickly done by the crew with their cutlasses, but none of 

 their visiters were injured. The moment they got into their canoes, 

 large pieces of coral and shells were hurled on board with great force : 

 two guns were fired over their heads, but they took no notice of them, 

 and stood up in their canoes, brandishing their spears and yelling 

 defiance. As their numbers were constantly increasing, Lieutenant- 

 Commandant Ringgold thought it prudent to keep the brig under 

 way, beat to quarters, and made preparations to meet attack, if it 

 should be intended. 



Three or four canoes were kept towing astern, and after many 

 ineffectual and long-continued efforts, a trade was begun for their 

 arms, necklaces, &c., which they parted with for iron, knives, cloth, 

 and other articles. The first they designated by the name of " toke," 

 and the meaning of several other of their words was ascertained. 

 These islanders did not know the use of tobacco, but would receive 

 any and every thing offered : on receiving the articles they immedi- 

 ately thrust on board the article sold, and appeared fair in dealing, 

 though they proved themselves to be expert thieves. 



Like other natives of Polynesia, they seemed a half-amphibious 

 race, diving for any thing dropped overboard with great ease and 

 unconcern. They are of a light olive colour, though darker than 

 either the Samoans or Tahitians, with fine black hair. The old men 



VOL. IV. 75 



