260 Papers relating to Aborigines of Andaman Islands. [No. 3, 
listing on the men doing so with them, clapping with their hands to 
keep time, so that this is no doubt a great day with them. 
14 ih . — They seem to improve daily, and their health is good. 
They all went to see the men at work at their different trades, but 
seemed only to care for the blacksmith and tinker. Punch seeing an 
English woman wished to kiss her, and Friday took the chain, a 
silver one, off an ayah’s neck, which was of course returned. Seeing 
me he came up, and taking hold of my beard, put his hand inside 
my shirt collar, to see whether I had a chain of any kind. He also 
made motions to another officer, that he would cut his throat for his 
gold chain and ring ; they are apparently fond of all animals, and 
have constantly a cat and a dog in their arms. They are very suspici- 
ous of our food, but will take anything uncooked, but they don’t 
appear to eat undressed meat of any kind, and they also share all 
they get equally ; at one meal they will eat a bunch of plantains 
weighing 9 seers, or eighteen pounds, besides meat. When the 
natives of India were near them, they mutter at them, but it is im- 
possible to catch the words, but it appears from their manner to be 
abuse. They were asking for their fish to-day, and having none, a 
pigeon was given to each, which they cleaned and boiled, but they 
were very much puzzled to see four killed at one shot. Crusoe seeing 
a spy-glass, took it up, and brought it to the ready, taking aim at 
the same time, he then made a noise with his mouth, and threw his 
head back, as if he was killed. The working party at Aberdeen 
were attacked to-day, and driven in with the loss of all their tools, 
and a party of men were sent (N. B ) but saw nothing of the 
aborigines ; although they recovered some of the axes, &c. The 
officer states that he should say about twenty had been there, the 
natives report fifty. A strong guard will be in future sent to protect 
the convicts. The savages are evidently accustomed to food the in- 
stant they awake, and if any thing is left they roll it up in a piece of 
cloth, and mar it down, in the same way they hide away bits of iron 
of any kind : they seem quite resigned, and do not appear to care 
for their own free land. 
15 tJi . — The aborigines again attacked and wounded the convicts 
working in the jungle, also one of the Sebundy Guard, but three 
were taken prisoners, and brought over, two are old men, and the 
other a nice looking lad. I was informed that one of them, the 
