390 



INTERCOURSE WITH THE NATIVES. 



to be the eldest of the group, stepped on one side to a small tree which 

 grew near the beach, and broke off a small branch, which he held up 

 to view. I immediately imitated his example, and reciprocated his 

 proffer of amity, if for such it was intended. As I advanced to make 

 the exchange, he at first drew timidly back ; but after being joined by 

 a female who had been watching our movements from a short distance, 

 and who was probably his wife, the treaty of amity was duly ratified, 

 and sealed by his making me a present of his tapper, or waist-cloth. 

 His wife then gave me a little garland of wild flowers she had been 

 braiding ; and as if this had been a preconcerted signal, two lovely 

 females, naked as they were born, darted from a neighbouring thicket, 

 each with a similar token of affection, which they offered with the most 

 bewitching grace conceivable. Heaven forgive me, if my wicked heart 

 did violence to any one precept of the decalogue ! 



These girls were about sixteen or seventeen, with eyes'like the ga- 

 zelle's, teeth like ivory, and the most delicately formed features I have 

 ever met with. In stature they were about five feet, with small hands, 

 feet, and head, long black hair, and then those eyes, sparkling like jet 

 beads swimming in liquid enamel ! They had small plump cheeks, 

 with a chin to match, and lips of just the proper thickness for affec- 

 tion's kiss. Their necks were small, and I believe that I could have 

 spanned either of their naked waists with both my hands. Their limbs 

 were beautifully proportioned, and so were their busts. Imagination 

 must complete the bewitching portraits : I will only add the shade — 

 their skin was a light copper colour. 



I placed the wreaths they gave me on my own head, which appeared 

 to please them very much, and to increase their confidence. I ac- 

 companied them and their friends to the village, where we were met 

 by about one hundred natives, men, women, and children. Here I re- 

 ceived several similar tokens from other females ; and in return made 

 them presents of a few beads and some small pieces^f an iron-hoop, 

 with which they seemed to be highly delighted. There were several 

 elderly men and women among them, some of whom I should take to 

 be ninety or a hundred years of age. 



The men were all unarmed, and appeared to be very friendly. They 

 are straight, active, muscular, and well-made, with an average height 

 of about five feet nine inches. Most of them wear a tapper round 

 their loins, which reaches about half-way to the knees, and is made 

 from the bark of a tree. The married women wear the same modest 

 covering, highly ornamented in front with feathers and shells ; but the 

 unmarried women expose all their charms, being, " when unadorned, 

 adorned the most." They sport in the surf, as if the water was their 

 natural element. 



The cabins or cottages of these islanders consist of a roof made of 

 bamboos, and thatched with cocoanut-leaves, placed upon four posts. 

 Under this roof they have a platform, elevated about two feet from the 

 ground ; being a frame of bamboo, which is covered with mats. This 

 constitutes a very clean and cool place for sleeping. 



After remaining with these people about three-quarters of an hour, 

 giving them the seeds of useful vegetables, and showing their use, the 



