236 
PEOPITIATIXG THE NATIVES. 
No sign of welcome was made, no peace-offering 
accepted. We therefore quietly withdrew, and 
entered another and a lai’ger hut. Here we found 
four men seated around the smoulderinef wood fire 
solemnly smoking, while two young women were 
clearing away the fish-bones and fragments that 
remained after the recent meal. The interior of 
the dingy abode was lined Avith matting, and on 
a raised }:)latfonn on one side were an old woman 
and some children. The captain and myself seated 
ourselves among these strange pcojffe, and endea- 
voured to Avin the hearts of the Avomen by pictures 
from the “ Illustrated London NeAvg,” AAdiich they 
accc2>ted timidly, and contemplated upside doA\m. 
The absurd little broAvn monkey-like imps AA^erc 
regaled Avith SAvect biscuits, Avhich they shyly 
munched Avith silent gusto, and the stolid hairy 
men Averc propitiated A\dth tobacco, Avliich they 
sliced up and smoked instanter. We were amused 
and pleased to note the skilful way in aaLIcIi one 
little savage lighted his grandmothers pipe, and 
AA’cre surprised to obseiwe that ancient dame, AAuth 
