302 
SOUTH SEA 
up in their bosoms were indicated by the expressions of 
their dark countenances, and the motions of their limbs ; 
they did not attempt to move their canoes, but they 
scarcely knew how to proceed,— some appeared ready 
to leap overboard, while others, bolder than the rest, 
beckoned us to approach with winning and disarming 
smiles, and some were evidently much excited both by 
fear and curiosity . We happened to open our proceed- 
ing in a manner # which quickly convinced them that our 
visit to their dominions was a friendly one. I wore at 
the time a small white calico riding-cap, and when we 
got close to one of their canoes I reached across, and 
placed it on the head of one of the men who appeared 
to be a chief;— the effect was instantaneous; a yell of 
satisfaction from the assembled multitude arose which I 
shall never totally forget, then such a chattering and 
gibbering broke from the preceding yell, that we in the 
boats were scarcely able to hear each other speak, and 
when the - <e tumult dwindled to a calm, 5 '' we set about 
endeavouring to make them understand that we wanted 
either fresh animal or vegetable provision, but we were 
not destined to make the slightest impression in that 
respect, although some of our men crowed like a cock 
to make them know that we wanted fowls, others 
squeaked and grunted like a pig, but all our talent and 
ingenuity in these ventriloquisms were thrown away 
upon these people, who stared in vacant astonishment 
at our curious gesticulations and sounds. 
We succeeded a little better with regard to other 
matters ; for when we shewed a young man a portion of 
