CAITAIN king's INTBEVIEW, 
191 
retreat to the boat j atid in the smve qui pe^t way in 
which we ran down the hillj at which we have fi-equently 
since laiiphed very heartily, our theodolite-stand and 
Mr. Canuiugham^s insect-net were left behind, which 
they instantly seized upon, I had fired my fowling- 
piece at an iguana just before the appearance of the 
natives, so that we were without any means of defence ; 
but having reached the boat without accident, where we 
had our muskets r^dy, a parley was commenced for the 
purpose of recovering our losses. After exchanging a 
silk handkerchief for a dead bird, which they threw into 
the water for us to pick up^ we made signs that we 
wanted fresh water, upon which they directed na to go 
round the point, and upon our pulling in that direction 
they followed us, skipping from rock to rock with sur- 
prising dexterity and speed. 
" As soon as we reached the sandy hank on the north 
side of liuxmore Head, they stopped and invited ns to 
land/ which we should have done, had it not been that 
the noises they made soon collected a large body of 
natives, who came running from all directions to their 
assistance, and in a short time there were twenty-eight 
or thii-ty natives assembled. After a short parley with 
them, in which they repeatedly asked for axes by imi- 
tating the action of chopping, we went on board, inti- 
mating our intention of returning with some, which we 
would give to thcra upon the restoration of the stand, 
which they immediately understood and assented to. The 
uativea had their dogs with them. 
On onr return to the beach the natives had again 
assembled, and shouted loudly as we approached. Be- 
