258 Papers relating to Aborigines of Andaman Islands. [No. 3, 
says they Jo. The convict Doo’dnath, who lived among them 
for thirteen months, assured me that he could discover no trace 
of religious worship or the acknowledgment of any unseen pow- 
er among them. It was reported to me by their keepers, that 
they daily, but not at any fixed time, went through what was sup- 
posed to be worship. The time chosen was when they were by 
themselves in the small room appropriated to them. They all sat, 
and one repeated some words to which all the rest responded, touch- 
ing in turn various parts for their bodies. This would last for more 
than half an hour. I was very anxious to satisfy myself on this 
subject, but though I gave directions that I should be informed 
whenever they were so engaged, could not gratify myself in this 
respect, as they invariably left off when they discovered that they 
were observed. 
8. I append a list of the few words acquired from them, and also 
some notes made by Lieutenant S. Hellard, Indian Navy, while they 
were in his charge, which I trust may not be without interest. 
9. In conclusion, I beg to assure His Lordship the Governor 
General in Council, that it will always continue to be my anxious 
desire not only to prevent any aggression upon the natives, but if 
possible to conciliate them — the task is however a delicate and diffi- 
cult one. 
P. S.— Since the foregoing was written, a party has visited Viper 
Island ; they came unarmed, and instead of attempting to take plan- 
tains by force, begged for them. The beggar’s whine is thoroughly 
understood and used even here. 
NOTES ON THE ANDAMANESE CAPTUEED AT POET 
BLAIE. 
Thursday , 10th January, .1861. — Three of the aborigines captured 
at Viper Island. Went up in the launch, and found them in the 
stocks, and apparently quite indifferent, until taken to the boat, 
handcuffed with their hands behind their backs. In beating down, 
they seemed to expect to be landed whenever we neared the shore : 
they instantly asked for pm.no (water) and all three at the same 
moment managed to bring their hands in front. On landing at Boss 
Island they were very sullen, but eating plantains freely or any 
