102 MELYILLB ISLAND. 
Bides the whale-boat, in which Mr. Bcdwell was stationed 
with an armed party, in order to fire if any hostility 
commenced, we had our jolly-boat, in which I led the 
way with two men, and caiTicd with me two tomahawks 
and some chisels. On pulling near the beach, the whole 
party eame down, and waded into the water towards us, 
and in exchange for a few chisels and files, gave us two 
baskets, one containing fresh water, and the other was 
full of the fruit of the sago-palm, which grows here in 
great abundance. The basket containing the water was 
conveyed to us by letting it float on the sea, for their 
timidity %vould not let them approach us near enough to 
place it in our hands ; but that contaiuing the fruit, not 
being buoyant enough to swira, did not pernut of this 
method, so that after much difficulty, an old man was 
persuaded to deliver it. This w^as done in the most 
cautious manner ; and aa soon as he was sufficiently near 
the boat he dropped, or rather threw the basket into my 
hands, and immediately retreated to his companions, who 
applauded the feat by a loud shout of approbation, 
^' In exchange for this I offered him a tomahawk, but his 
fears would not allow him to come near the boat to 
receive it. Finding nothing could induce the old man to 
approach us the second time, I threw it towards him ; 
and upon his catching it, the whole tribe began to shout 
and laugh in a most extravagant way. As soon as they 
were quiet, we made signs for the theodolite-stand, which, 
for a long while, they would not imderstand j at one time 
they pretended to think by our pointing towards it, that 
vfG meant some spears that were lying near a tree, which 
they immediately removed ; the stand was then taken up 
