108 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, dawned when one of the natives paddled off to the ship upon a small 
katamaran: he was quite naked, and had only a pole and a paddle on the 
Dec. raft. For a considerable time he hesitated to come alongside; but on 
our assuring him, in the Otaheitan language, we w^ere his friends, he was 
persuaded to make the attempt. After a little further conciliation he 
made his raft fast by a rope that was thrown to him, and ascended the 
side of the shiji, striking her several times with his fist, and examining 
her at every step. His surprise on reaching the deck was beyond all de- 
scription; he danced, capered, and threw himself into a variety of atti- 
tudes, accompanying them with vehement exclamations ; and entered 
into conversation with every person, not suspecting that his language 
w'as unintelligible ; and was so astonished at all he saw that his attention 
wandered from object to object without intermission. He very w illi ngly 
accepted every present that was offered him ; and having satisfied him- 
self of our friendly disposition, hastened on shore to his companions, 
who were collected in great numbers upon the low point, anxiously 
awaiting his return. The report which he gave w’as undoubtedly of a 
favourable nature, as several katamaran s, laden with visiters, imme- 
diately pushed off, and came fearlessly alongside. 
The decks were soon crowded with delighted spectators, wondering 
at every thing they beheld, and expressing their feelings by ludicrous 
gestures. The largest objects, such as the guns and spars, greatly at- 
tracted their attention : they endeavoured to lift them, with a view, no 
doubt, of bundling them overboard ; but finding they could not be 
moved, the smaller articles became the more immediate subjects of 
curiosity and desire, and it required a vigilant w^atch to prevent their 
being carried off. 'I'hey w'ere pleased with many articles that were 
shown them ; but nothing made them so completely happy as the sight 
of two dogs that we had on board. The largest of these, of the New- 
foundland breed, was big and surly enough to take care of himself ; but 
the other, a terrier, was snatched up by one of the natives, and was so 
much the object of his solicitation that it was only by force he was 
prevented carrying him away. To people who had never seen any 
quadruped before but a rat, so large an animal as a Newfoundland dog, 
and that perfectly domesticated and obedient to his master, naturally 
