448 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, necessity. This depth gradually increased to seventy-five fathoms, at 
four miles distance from the reefs. 
May, Daylight had scarcely dawned the following morning before several 
fishermen paddled towards the ship, and fastened their canoes along- 
side. They had taken several dolphins, which they exchanged for a 
very small quantity of tobacco, tying the fish to a rope, and without 
the least mistrust contentedly waiting until the price of it was handed 
to them. Their canoes were capable of holding five or six persons 
each, but there were seldom more than two or three in any of them. 
They were hollowed out of large trees, and rather clumsily made, but 
it was evident from the neat manner in which the inside was fitted with 
bamboo gratings, that the constructors of them were capable of much 
better workmanship. They had no outriggers, and their sail was 
made of grass. 
After remaining alongside some time they ventured upon deck, 
and saluted us in the Japanese manner, by bowing their heads very 
low, and clasping their hands to their breasts. They appeared to be a 
very diminutive race, and were nearly all bow-legged, from the habitual 
confinement of their canoes. Many of them were naked, with the 
exception of a maro, but those who were clothed wore coarse cotton 
gowns with large sleeves ; and almost every person had a pipe, tobacco- 
pouch, and match fastened to his girdle. As the Loo-Chooans are 
reputed to be descended from the Japanese, we naturally sought in the 
countenances of these people features characteristic of that nation, but 
found that they bore a much nearer resemblance to those of the Malay 
tribe. Their manners, however, were very different from those of the 
Malays ; and they were marked with a degree of courtesy and good 
breeding, which we certainly should not have expected to find in persons 
of their humble occupation, and inferior condition in life. 
Having obtained permission to look over the ship, they examined 
attentively those things which interested them, and when their curiosity 
was satisfied they made a low bow, and returned to their canoes, leaving 
us well pleased with their manners. About this time several dolphins 
swam round the ship, and the fishermen threw over their lines, and 
met with tolerable success. Our lines had for some time been 
