128 
VISIT OF A CHIEF. 
pulling slowly, but steadily, towards the ship, and 
filled with the rabble of a chief, who occupied the 
largest boat. A flourish of tninipets, or rather 
conches, announced his approach, and when he 
stepped on board he was saluted with three guns. 
The lioatmen were rough, bravuiy fellows, with 
coarse Tartar features, bronzed by exjiosure to the 
weather, with unkempt hair, shaggy beards, and 
uncouth bearing. They could not be persuaded 
by the most vociferous upbraidings, not even by 
threats of the bastinado, to mind their boats, 
but would throng on board with the chief and 
his followers, and gaze upon the Devils of the 
Western Sea,” — and soon a motley group formed 
on the deck. 
The chief, who really had something very noble 
and majestic about him, as is generally the case 
with men in high authority among the natives of 
those islands, was duly presented, and seated him- 
self upon a mat placed for him by one of his 
attendants. The demeanour of those of his 
countrpnen who surrounded him was as free and 
