16 
BAY OF SOFALA. 
tree, were planted in apparent order ; and we thought we could 
distingnish huts, and every now and then people passing to and 
fro among the trees. 
Being at no great distance from the shore, we called out 
repeatedly in Arabic and Portuguese, but in vain ; and to induce 
the natives to come down sent some of our crew to the canoes 
(in reaching which they were obliged to wade up to their waists 
in mud) to hoist a white handkerchief by way of flag, and to place 
there a coarse knife and some biscuits, as tokens of friendship ; 
but, like the rest of our plans this day, our hopes that some of the 
natives might be tempted down proved fruitless, for so long as 
we remained in sight the handkerchief was not removed. 
A few miles from this spot, while sailing out of the Bay, we 
fell in with three more canoes afloat filled with natives, and made 
towards them in the hope of gaining some intelligence respecting 
the object of our research ; but before we could overtake them 
they had reached an inlet near a clump of lofty trees, where they 
jumped out and drew their vessels to shore. The chief, as we 
conceived one of them to be from his wearing a piece of blue 
cloth over his shoulders and a covering on his head, walked 
leisurely up the beach. The rest were busily engaged in carrying 
up some bundles from the canoes. Being within hail, we hoisted 
English colours, waved our handkerchiefs, and called out to them 
in Portuguese and Arabic not to be alarmed, as our intentions 
were friendly. They seemed partly to understand us, but 
appeared to give little credit to our professions, for instead of 
inviting us on shore they brandished their spears, drew their 
arrows to the head, tore the branches wildly from the trees, and 
