WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 



91 



dress, however, is very singular, in short abrupt 

 sentences, on the latter words of which was laid 

 a loud and peculiar emphasis. Before the con- 

 clusion of the meeting the Consul spread out 

 his bundle of presents, consisting of strings of 

 coloured glass beads, papers of indigo, tobacco, 

 cotton printed handkerchiefs, and Jew's harps, 

 the whole of which were appropriately distributed, 

 and received by the Indians with great apparent 

 satisfaction, as offered by Mr. Rouse, the Consul, 

 in the name of His Majesty the King of Great 

 Britain. With the caciques came the infant 

 child of one of them : the mode in which it was 

 brought was singular. It was placed in a rude 

 wooden box, framed something like a wooden 

 coal-scuttle, contrived so as to make a snug fit 

 for its little imprisoned inmate, whose head only 

 was visible over the edge of the front ; the back 

 formed t]ie handle, by which it was slung, by 

 hide straps, to the Indian woman who took 

 charge of it, and who, mounted on horseback, 

 conveyed it away. On taking leave, the caciques 

 went through the ceremony of a parting em- 

 brace with the governor, Consul, and Captain ; 

 which was by putting the right arm over the 

 left shoulder, the left arm round the waist, under 



