Nov.] 



SPENCER'S BAY. 



295 



rocks, nearly six hundred feet perpendicular, at. the water's edge. 

 Whales frequent this bay in considerable numbers, in the months of 

 July and August. Seal of the fur kind also frequent the shores of 

 Mercury Island, while its summit is thickly inhabited by penguins 

 and gannets, during their laying and incubation season. The shores 

 and surface of the island present many specimens of volcanic pro- 

 ductions, as do also those of the continent in this vicinity, extending 

 some distance into the country. 



There is a Hottentot village about forty miles on an east-by-south 

 course from the head of the bay, containing about two hundred and 

 fifty inhabitants, and situated in a fertile valley, watered by several 

 springs of excellent fresh water. There are also four refreshing 

 springs between the village and the bay. The interior of the country 

 abounds in cattle, sheep, deer, bucks, wolves, gray foxes, elephants, 

 and ostriches, in greater numbers than it does farther south ; which 

 may be had for any price you please to give, in the way of barter ; 

 for money would be of no more use to them than an equal weight of sand 

 would be to us. Offer them such articles as their circumstances 

 require, and they will trade in the most liberal and honest manner. 



I am aware that most people have imbibed the mistaken idea that 

 these natives are treacherous, and cruel, and bloodthirsty, and every 

 thing that is bad. It is no such thing. I make the assertion on per- 

 sonal experience and practical knowledge. There is no more danger in 

 travelling two or three hundred miles in the interior of this country 

 for the purpose of purchasing cargoes, than there is in travelling 

 among our own Indians in the state of New- York; provided you 

 take no temptations with you, and no other arms than a musket. 

 Whatever you purchase of the natives is sold in good faith, to be 

 paid for according to contract on the delivery of the articles at the 

 beach, and* not before. Under this arrangement, they could not de- 

 fraud you, were they so disposed ; and were there no other safeguard 

 for your person, the prospect of this payment would be amply suffi- 

 cient. But their natural dispositions are friendly and humane ; and if 

 you treat them with kindness, they will repay your favours more than 

 ten to one. When they deliver the cattle and other articles at the 

 beach, give them the articles in return for which they stipulated, and 

 they are satisfied ; but I would recommend a little extension of cour- 

 tesy on these occasions, by presenting their chiefs a few tasteful trifles 

 which may attract their attention. Whatever you bestow in this way, 

 will not be thrown away, but returned to you sevenfold in some other 

 shape, or on some other occasion. 



While on this subject, with a special reference to the purchase of 

 cattle and the jerking of beef, it may be well to mention that there 

 are many salt-springs in the valleys at the head of Spencer's Bay, 

 where salt might be manufactured in immense quantities, if properly 

 attended to. But perhaps it would be full as cheap to bring the 

 article from the Cape Verd Islands, to jerk your beef and cure your 

 hides ; which is necessary to prevent the invasion of bugs and other 

 insects. / 



November 6th. — After taking about a thousand fur-seal skins from 



