IMPRESSIVE APPEARANCE OF TEE SAVAGES . 263 
to be composed of loose stone and masses of coral 
rock ; so after all we bad to anchor in mid-channel in 
40 fathoms. The canoes remained around us, and a 
lively trade soon sprang up between the ships com- 
pany and the savages. To one unfamiliar with the 
South Sea trade it was rather a surprising spectacle 
to see an armful of weapons, belts, necklaces, and 
earrings, the result of many days’ patient labour, ex- 
changed for a few pieces of rusty hoop-iron or a 
string of beads. Bartering thus went on all day ; and 
when the natives saw some of the trade gear with 
which we were supplied, it was surprising how their 
cupidity was excited, and their evident willingness 
to part with anything and everything they possessed 
for small hatchets, knives, beads, or iron. The 
noise and scrambling alongside while this trading was 
going on baffles all description ; for, besides the usual 
talking and shouting, they had a singular habit ot 
directing attention to their finery by a loud, sharp- 
sounding ss, ss /—a kind of hissing sound equivalent 
to “ Look at this !” In their bargaining they were 
generally very honest, passing up the articles 
selected on the end of their fishing-spear, receiving 
in exchange the pieces of hoop-iron, which seemed to 
be much prized by them ; at the same time showing 
great eagerness to obtain the small hatchets and 
long knives, but seemingly attaching little value to 
calico or handkerchiefs, although a gaudy pattern or 
bright colour was sure to attract their attention. 
