3C6 



MASSACRE ISLANDS. 



[1830. 



flying from one object to another, feeling them with both hands, in- 

 quiring the use of every thing, but never waiting for an answer, imme- 

 diately laying hold of something else. He at last jumped about the 

 deck like a madman, alternately laughing and uttering exclamations of 

 astonishment. When any thing struck him in a peculiar manner, he 

 would instantly cry out " Rett — stiller /" signifying fine ! His sable 

 attendants also took great interest in the objects around them ; but did 

 not presume to give their feelings utterance in the presence of their 

 chief, who ultimately proved to be the grand chief, or emperor of the 

 whole group. 



I invited Nero to descend with me into the cabin ; but he declined, 

 until three of his people should have first tried the hazardous experi- 

 ment, and gave his orders accordingly, which they obeyed with evi- 

 dent reluctance, descending the stairs after me with the greatest cau- 

 tion and timidity. Their feet had scarcely touched the floor, however, 

 when their fears gave place to surprise and admiration, at the great 

 number of shining muskets, bright brass-barrelled pistols, and glittering 

 cutlasses, which decorated almost every part of the cabin. They 

 covered their dazzled eyes with their hands, and exclaimed Rett — 

 Stiller ! which was instantly echoed by their companions on deck. I 

 then showed them a mirror, which at first struck them with terror ; 

 so that for some minutes they • seemed bewildered with astonish- 

 ment, gazing alternately at each other, and at the image in the glass : 

 but as soon as they recognised their own ebony features, they embraced 

 each other, made the most ridiculous grimaces, laughed immoderately, 

 and shouted with joy. 



Nero, on hearing this, could no longer resist his own desire and their 

 solicitations for him to descend, and with one leap he was in the cabin ; 

 on looking around which, his exclamations of surprise and pleasure 

 surpassed all bounds. Indeed, they all looked and acted like wild, 

 frantic children, although more than one of them bore evident marks 

 of old age. 



On our returning to the deck, we found several more canoes along- 

 side, with natives equally dark and naked, from the other islands, who 

 appeared incredulous to the marvellous stories which their friends on 

 board were telling them ; but they were soon convinced, by ocular 

 demonstration, that " the half was not told" them. They were then 

 shown the cook's house, and offered some bread and meat, but de- 

 clined tasting it, with an expression of some feeling analogous to 

 loathing. 



The guns next excited the attention of the sable chief, who ex- 

 pressed great solicitude to know their nature and use ; but it was 

 neither convenient nor politic at that time to gratify his curiosity on 

 this subject. I took a little powder, however, and flashed it before 

 them on the deck, which so terrified them that they fell flat on their 

 faces. On finding themselves unhurt, they soon recovered their feet 

 and their composure, and intimated that I must possess the power 

 of making thunder and lightning, which sometimes terrified them in 

 the clouds. 



When their curiosity had at length become somewhat gratified, and 



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