76 ELLICE'S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 



island is the seat of government, and the natives now unite both 

 names under the one of Makin. 



It was soon evident that the island was thickly inhabited ; for when 

 the ship reached the lee side, in the afternoon, about twenty canoes 

 came off, containing from five to ten natives in each, and in one of 

 them was a white man, who was clothed in mats. The ship was im- 

 mediately hove-to to take him on board, and he gave his name as 

 Robert Wood (alias Grey), a Scotchman by birth, who was left by 

 his own wish on the island, seven years before, by the English 

 whaling brig Janie, of London, sailing from Sydney. He was under 

 so great excitement as to render his utterance quite unintelligible at 

 times, and some amusing scenes took place in consequence. On his 

 reaching the deck, he first inquired if he would be permitted to go on 

 shore again ; and then, who was king of England ; if there was peace 

 with America ; for he had thought there must be a war. He had seen 

 no white men since he landed, and said that he had become old and 

 grayheaded. To prove the latter assertion he pulled off his apology 

 for a hat, and displayed a most luxuriant growth of jet-black hair. 



He had not been on board long before he asked for a passage to 

 some civilized land ; and when he was informed that his wishes 

 would be gratified, he seemed for a time beside himself from excess 

 of joy. His feelings were evinced on his endeavours to interpret the 

 questions to the natives ; he almost invariably repeated to them what 

 was said to him in English, in the same language; and gave back 

 their answers or expressions in the island dialect. This had a droll 

 effect, and he had frequently to be reminded that he was an inter- 

 preter. 



Wood says, that the natives had always treated him kindly ; and 

 for the first few months after his arrival among them, they carried 

 him about on their shoulders (he was the first white man that many 

 of them had ever seen), and almost deified him. They have no wars, 

 and very few arms, and seldom quarrel, except about their women. 

 The punishment of death is inflicted on those who infringe the 

 seraglio of the chiefs. 



In the short intercourse the Peacock had with the natives of this 

 island, a great difference was perceptible between them and those of 

 the other islands, as well in respect to their appearance, as in 

 character. Their features were regular, and by some thought hand- 

 some ; they had fine teeth, with glossy black hair flowing in ringlets 

 about their heads ; they were also of a lighter colour than the rest of 



