•used hy the Natives on the Coast of Coromandel. 61 
lopes, were now made fast to the spar, and passed round it se- 
veral times, in an opposite way from that in which the buoy-rope 
had been wound ; thus forming what are technically called ‘‘ slew- 
ropes,” (turning ropes). Sixty of the natives now mount- 
ed the spar, and, having taken hold of the ropes, hauled 
upon them so as to turn the spar round In a short time, the 
buoy-rope became tight, whicli prevented the further rotation of 
the spar. All the ^lew-ropes being now rendered equally tight, 
were held firmly in both hands by the natives, who stood 
erect, and in a line, along the top of the spar ; and, upon a 
word of command being given, the whole party threw them- 
selves suddenly backwards, so that they all fell flat on the surface 
of the water at the same moment. By this operation the spar 
was made to perform one quarter of a revolution ; but this of 
course did not start the anchor, though it made the buoy-rope 
90 tight, as to require a considerable force to prevent the spar 
from turning back again. The next turn vras made by the al- 
ternate pairs of men remaining extended on the water, while the 
rest gradually clunbed up to the top of the spar, by means of 
the slew-ropes. Having reached this point, and having drawn 
their ropes equally tight, they again threw themselves on their 
backs, while those who were already down, merely took in the 
slack,” as it is termed, of their ropes, that is, kept them uniform- 
ly tense, while the spar was performing another quarter revo- 
lution, by the effort of the number who had climbed up.. The 
same thing was repeated, always by half of the party, till the 
anchor was fairly lifted off the ground. As soon as this was 
-Accomplished, the whole of the natives continue4 stretched on 
the water, while the boats towed the spar, together with the 
anchor, and all the apparatus, into deep water, where the ship 
lay ; and the anchor was then hove up in the usual way. 
The anchor in question weighed above three tons, and walk 
much heavier than any which the natives had ever before 
raised. They complained much of this circumstance ; and in- 
deed, it had nearly cost them very dear ; for, when they had 
nearly reached the ship, some of them, either becoming tired 
or frightened, let go their ropes. This threw additional w^eight 
upon the rest, who in their turn, becoming alarmed, also quitted 
their hold. In an instant the anchor sunk to the bottom, and 
fey unwinding the buoy-rope gave the spar so rapid a rotatorj 
