322 



PAUMOTU GROUP. 



with the men ; and some of the officers thought they recognised those 

 who had been in the canoes the day before. 



NATIVES OF WYTOOHEE. 



On our gentlemen requesting to go to their huts, they seemed to be 

 thrown into a kind of stupid wonderment, but on being assured they 

 had nothing to fear, their countenances brightened up, and they led the 

 way through the wood to an open space, surrounded by pandanus and 

 cocoa-nut trees. These natives had evidently had communication with 

 vessels, but I very much doubt if any had landed before. They did not 

 appear at all alarmed at the firing of guns, but were much surprised to 

 see the birds killed, holding up their hands, and making ejaculations. 

 They had no idea of the principles of barter, and allowed any thing to 

 be taken without opposition, receiving any articles in return with 

 gratitude and delight. Iron was prized more than any other thing. On 

 reaching the huts, inquiry was made of them for their women, when a 

 general burst of laughter ensued, and they gave us to understand, that 

 they had penetrated our motive for visiting their island — " That as we 

 inhabited an island without any women, we wanted to have some." 

 Nothing more was said to them on the subject. They accompanied us 

 to the boats, and at parting went through the same ceremonies of 

 rubbing noses, shaking hands, and raising their arms with the palms 

 towards us. According to the estimate I made of the inhabitants, the 

 number was about ninety. From the great age of the chiefs, and the 



