April 1830. 



CONCOURSE OF NATIVES. 



315 



Hence, there evidently is something of a superstitious nature 

 connected with the word ; but our frequent attempts to find 

 out its precise meaning, were unsuccessful. On repeating this 

 expression to a group of natives, one of them immediately 

 coughed up a piece of blubber, which he had been eating, and 

 gave it to another, who swallowed it with much ceremony, and 

 with a peculiar guttural noise ; then, looking up, and pointing 

 with his finger to the skies, solemnly pronounced the talismanic 

 ' Pecheray.' This word is also used in pointing to the sun. 



On the 10th April, I went to Charles Islands, and surveyed 

 them. There is very good anchorage for a small vessel, in eigh- 

 teen fathoms, at the north end of the passage which separates 

 them ; and at the bottom, or elbow, under the eastern island, 

 in thirteen or fourteen fathoms. The next day, a fresh arrival 

 in two canoes increased the number of Indians to eighty; rather 

 a formidable body for a small vessel to encounter. They con- 

 ducted themselves, on the whole, very peaceably, but seemed 

 determined that our curiosity should not be gratified by find- 

 ing out the contents of the ' tabooed' wigwam. It was always 

 guarded by the ' Pecheray,' who seemed ready and determined 

 to dispute all access to it, by means of a heavy club. One of 

 the midshipmen, however, with a little coaxing, persuaded the 

 man to let him put his head in ; but those who were inside, 

 having received their lesson, threw ashes in his face, and nearly 

 blinded him. After this, seehig they were determined on the 

 point, I desired that no further attempt should be made to 

 ascertain what was really going on inside the wigwam. 



We sailed the next day (11th), not without some apprehension 

 that the Adelaide might meet this large concourse of Indians 

 before they separated ; as Port Gallant was a place rarely passed 

 by vessels without stopping, and the natives being all housed 

 behind a point of land, could not be seen until too late. 



We were abreast of Cape Froward at noon ; in the evening 

 we anchored in French Bay, and next day (13th) reached Port 

 Famine. As I purposed remaining until the Adelaide should 

 arrive, the tents were set up, the boats landed for repair, and 

 the transit instrument was set up, in the hope that a comet 



