THE MALAY RACE. 



57 



dered conspicuous in the distance, by having oederaatous or dropsical 

 legs.* He was gray, and looked the grandfather of a good part of 

 the population ; and as the boats stopped, he came down to the 

 water's edffe, making various motions and ofrimaces. On being given 

 to understand that there was a present for him, there was a manifest 

 change in his countenance, and he seemed rather anxious to avail him- 

 self of his prerogative. He swam off to the boat and received the prof- 

 fered article, presenting in return the cape or mantle of matting on his 

 shoulders. He came off with others two or three times, and com- 

 menced a long harangue while still in the water, the purport of which 

 was however lost upon us. More than one of our party mentioned 

 afterwards, being struck with the personification of the Grecian Nep- 

 tune; as he lay floundering, his long white beard streaming in the 

 water. He was unwilling to have us land ; but some boats of the 

 squadron effected a landing at a different point, and had communica- 

 tion witli the natives. 



On the following day, a visit was made to the smaller island, dis- 

 tant about eight miles from the first. The natives, who were all men, 

 and in number did not much exceed a dozen, were assembled at the 

 water's edge; but they made no hostile demonstrations, other than 

 pushing back the boat. The surf being but slight, we had the advan- 

 tage in the last resort; had intercourse of that kind been desirable. 

 Several of us, therefore, landed by swimming, and we then obtained 

 a nearer view than was altogether agreeable ; for there was no escap- 

 ing the Polynesian sign of friendship, that of touching noses. Our 

 explorations, however, were circumscribed, for the natives during a 

 prolonged interview were unwilling to have us leave the beach; and 

 on parting, they gave us some evidently heartfelt adieus. A landing 

 was subsequently effected at the further end of the island, and the 

 principal vegetable productions were ascertained ; but our new friends 

 were soon on the spot, and the morning scene was re-enacted. 



I had now obtained a satisfactory view of the natives, and I was 

 struck with the deeper hue and more European style of feature, than 

 in the aboriginal American ; while a connexion was already manifest, 

 with the far-distant East Indians. 



* As the same circumstance was observed, in the cruise of the Peacock, both at the 

 Union and EIHce Groups, the coincidence could hardly have been accidental. The 

 Polynesians, like the ancient Greeks, are fond of "tracing their genealogy to a god;" 

 and it may be worth inquiry, whether something practical is not intended ? 



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