THE NIGOBAR ISLANDS. 
53 
bably renders it more healthy. The surf beat heavily on the shore, 
so as to deter us from attempting to land in our boats : it did not 
however prevent the natives from coming off in their canoes. They 
called to us to come to an anchor, which Captain Weltden deter- 
mined to do; and accordingly let go the anchor in ten fathoms 
water. A calm succeeding, the swell carried us rapidly toward the 
shore, so that in a few moments we had but four fathoms water, 
with the rocks visible under the ship, and ahead of us. The Cap- 
tain immediately ordered the cable to be cut; and alight air provi- 
dentially catching our top-sails, we were enabled to back out ; and 
thus, with the trifling loss of an anchor, escaped an imminent danger 
of shipwreck. As the state of the winds did not promise us a short 
voyage, it was thought advisable to stand for Car Nicobar, in order 
to take in fresh provisions. 
On the 4 th of January we anchored off the west side of that island, 
opposite to a village composed of huts, elevated about four feet 
from the ground, to be out of the reach of the serpents, with which 
it abounds. The Captain went on shore, and was received civilly 
by the natives, who however requested him not to permit too many 
of his crew to land. On the next day he persuaded some of the 
natives to accompany him on board, leaving one of his people as a 
hostage. They are a very muscular race, but far from well made; 
their features, though ugly, have a pleasing expression : the con- 
stant use of the betle renders their large mouths very disgusting, 
and their irregular teeth perfectly black. During the day we all 
went on shore, and found them good-natured and inoffensive, as 
their apprehensions were dispelled. Intercourse with strangers had 
probably given them a suspicious turn; for not one appeared with- 
