May.] 



VISIT FROM THE NATIVES. 



395 



more than a hundred yards in width, nor had a greater depth of water 

 than three fathoms. 



We ran close in with the easternmost of these openings or passages, 

 on the south side of the group, and at eight, A. M., sent in the boats, 

 well armed, to examine the reef. At ten, A. M., the boats returned, 

 with the encouraging information that the reef was literally covered 

 with biche-de-mer, of the first and second quality, several specimens 

 of which they brought on board with them. The passage which led 

 to the lagoon within the reef was immediately sounded, and found to 

 be safe and easy. I therefore determined to enter the lagoon, bring the 

 Antarctic to anchor, and, if possible, procure a cargo at this place. 



This resolution we immediately proceeded to carry into effect ; and 

 at half-past eleven, A. M., were within the reef, and steering for the 

 windward side of the lagoon, which we reached on Tuesday, the 25th, 

 and at three, P. M., came to anchor within one mile of a small island 

 on the north-east side of the group, in fifteen fathoms of water, over a 

 coral bottom. Here we were completely sheltered from all points of 

 the compass, in perfectly smooth water, it being impossible for any 

 swell to enter the lagoon within the reef from the seaboard. This 

 anchorage is in lat. 4° 50' 30" S., long. 156° 10' 30" E. 



May 25th. — As soon as the Antarctic was moored and the sails 

 furled, the natives, nearly as dark-skinned as Africans, and almost 

 totally naked, began to assemble round her, at a respectful distance, in 

 their light canoes, evincing the usual symptoms of curiosity, wonder, 

 and timidity. They came within about a hundred yards of the vessel, 

 and then lay on their oars, or rather paddles, as if afraid to approach 

 any nearer. On observing this I displayed a white flag, as a token of 

 amity on our part, and held up to their view several strings of beads, 

 and other articles which glittered in the sun. This finally induced 

 them to venture alongside, when they appeared to be struck with as- 

 tonishment and awe, on surveying the vessel's hull, spars, rigging, &c. 

 But nothing, for some time, would induce them to ascend her side. 



I soon distinguished one among their number, whom I set down as a 

 chief or ruler ; and whom, for the want of a more appropriate name, I 

 shall call Nero. He was most splendidly, or rather fantastically, orna- 

 mented with rows of shells and wreaths of flowers, about his ebony 

 head, neck, and waist ; while his arms and legs were adorned with 

 rings or 'bracelets of the richest tortoise-shell. After a long time, I 

 succeeded in persuading him, with a few of his followers, to venture 

 on board ; but not without considerable doubt and hesitancy on their 

 part. But who can accurately depict their astonishment when they 

 first stepped upon deck ! They seemed to be struck dumb and 

 stupid with amazement ; nor would they advance a step from the 

 gangway, until I took Nero by the arm, and with due demonstrations 

 of courtesy led him aft. 



A little reassured by the friendliness of my deportment, and the cor- 

 diality of his reception, he began, by degrees, to recover from his as- 

 tonishment, and to become curiously inquisitive. He examined, in 

 rapid succession, the masts, rigging, sails, deck, hatches, pump, bin- 

 acle, cables, anchors, whale-boats, and every thing that met his eve ; 



