PAUMOTU GROUP. 



329 



ship, some three or four miles distant. The old one-handed chief 

 now came up to me in a very mysterious manner, and untying a knot 

 in the tail of his shirt (which was the only garment he wore besides 

 his maro,) with no small difficulty, with one hand and his teeth, drew 

 from it a small dirty piece of linen, tied up as a bag ; this he produced 

 with great form, and evidently expected to astonish me. The contents 

 proved to be a few small discoloured pearls ; these he begged me to 

 accept, but I declined to receive them. We now reached the ship, 

 and I ordered every thing to be shown them. Their surprise was 

 very great. While on board, Messrs. Drayton and Agate succeeded 

 in getting a most accurate portrait of him. 



PORTRAIT OF THE ONE-HANDED CHIEF. 



The natives were much amused with the ship, and surprised at the 

 number of men on board. Many small presents were given them. 

 When they were about taking their departure, the old chief com- 

 plained of being quite sick, and his whole air and manner showed that 

 he was much dissatisfied. The reason could not be imagined. The 

 vessel had so little motion, it was thought it could not originate from 

 sea-sickness. I therefore told the interpreter to inquire of him what 

 was the matter. No answer was given for some time, but they con- 

 sulted much among themselves in a low tone. The question was 

 repeated, when the old chief's wife answered, " that I had not returned 

 the present that had been offered me, and that the chief was not 

 pleased ; for, according to their customs, the offering a present to me 

 entitled him to receive one in return." As very many gifts had been 

 made him already, this amused me not a little. On asking what it 

 was they wanted, they at once signified whiskey, which they said was 



VOL. I. 2C2 42 



