porter's journal. 



23 



pitch tents for our coopers, sailmakers, carpenters, and 

 other worknfien, all of which would be necessary in order 

 to make the extensive repairs of which the ship stood much 

 in want. I was apprehensive of engaging too precipitately 

 in the undertaking, lest the unforeseen difficulties 1 might 

 encounter, should give me cause to regret my haste. 



The spot which appeared most suitable for our purpose, 

 was a plain, at the back of the sandy beach, near where 

 we lay. This plain was well shaded by bread-fruit and 

 other trees, was destitute of inhabitants, and separated from 

 the inhabited part of the valley by a hill, well suited for 

 erecting a fort, as it completely commanded the whole 

 bay, as well as every part of the valley. The place 

 of which I now speak, as suited for our encampment, was 

 situated between the two hostile tribes 5 and I was inform- 

 ed, that from some motives of religion, neither party had 

 visited it since the war had commenced. With the hope 

 that they would continue to keep aloof from it, I deter- 

 mined within myself to fix on this spot, should I commence 

 my repairs here. While I was deliberating on the subject, 

 1 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 large 

 English sow ; this being, as I was informed, the most ac- 

 ceptable present 1 could make him, (excepting only a 

 %vhale's tooth) as they are particularly desirous of impro- 

 ving the breed of that animal. 



Soon after I had sent my present on shore, Gattanewa 

 came on board in a boat which I had sent for him, accom- 

 panied by Mr. Maury. I had seen several of their war- 

 riors since my arrival, many of them highly ornamented 

 with plumes, formed of the feathers of cocks and man-of- 

 war birds, and the long tail feathers of the tropic bird ; large 

 tufts of hair were tied around their waists, their ancles, 

 and their loins. They wore a cloak, sometimes of red 

 cloth, but more frequently of a white paper cloth, formed 

 of the bark of a tree, thrown not inelegantly over the 

 shoulders, with large round or oval ornaments in their ears, 

 formed of whales' teeth, ivory, or a kind of soft and light 

 wood, whitened with chalk. From their neck suspended 

 a whale's tooth, or highly polished shell, and round their 

 loins several turns of the stronger kind of paper-cloth, the 



