m the Pacific Ocean. 



85 



IS more to the right, and, as I before observed, lower down. I 

 had no sooner understood that they had a chief, to whom I could 

 address myself, than I felt anxious to see him. A messenger was 

 therefore dispatched for him ; and after collecting my people, I 

 returned on board, where shortly after our arrival, I soon found 

 every person anxious for the ships to be got into port and secured. 



When the ships were moored, the shore was lined with the 

 natives of both sexes; but the females were most numerous, 

 waving their white cloaks or cahoes for us to come on shore. 

 Many applications were made for me to permit them to accept 

 the invitations, and I found it impossible any longer to resist. 

 The boats were got out, and proceeded to the shore, where, on 

 landing they were taken complete possession of, by the women, 

 who insisted on going to the ship, and in a short time she was 

 completely filled by them, of all ages and descriptions, from the 

 age of sixty years, to that of ten ; some as remarkable for their 

 beauty, as others for their ugliness. They all appeared to be of 

 the most common kind, and many of them who had been in the 

 habit of visiting ships, which had formerly been at this place, had 

 been taught by the seamen, some few Enghsh words, which they 

 pronounced too plain to be misunderstood. 



No jewel, however valuable, is half so much esteemed in Europe 

 or America, as is a whalers tooth here. I have seen them by fits 

 laugh and cry for joy, at the possession of one of these darling 

 treasures. Ivory, however finely wrought and beautiful in its 

 kind, bears no comparison in their estimation. Ivory is worn by 

 the lower and poorer classes, made into the form of whales' teeth, 

 and as ear ornaments, while the whales'* teeth are worn only by 

 persons of rank and wealth. Some idea may be formed of the 

 value in which they are held by the natives, when it is known 

 that a ship of three hundred tons burthen, may be loaded with 

 sandal- wood at this island, at the price of ten whales' teeth of a 

 large size. For these the natives will cut it, bring it from the 

 distant mountains, and take it on board the ship. This cargo in 

 China, would be worth near a million of dollars. I have seen 

 this sandal-wood, that is so highly esteemed by the Chinese; 

 (indeed their infatuation for it, falls little short of the natives for 

 whales' teeth) it does not appear capable of receiving a high 

 polish, nor is its colour agreeable. The odour arising from it 

 is pleasant, and the principal uses to which the Chinese are said 

 to apply it, is to burn it in their temples, and to extract from it 

 an oil, which they consider of great value. 



I was informed that Gattanewa had arrived, and to show my 

 respect for the chieftain, as well as to convince him of my friendly 

 disposition, I sent him on shore a fine English sow ; this being, 

 as I was informed, the most acceptable present I could make him. 



