PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
115 
every one appeared to be arming himself, and many who had long CHAP. 
poles broke them in halves to supply those who had none. These 
preparations made it necessary to be cautious how the boats were Ja.u 
placed in their power, as they were small, and easily upset, and the 
natives very numerous. We found the shore, as at the other island, 
surrounded by coral rocks, upon which the boats grounded about two 
hundred yards from the beach, and they could not advance without 
imminent danger of being stove. The natives, whose rafts drew so 
little water that they could be floated over these impediments, could 
not understand our motives in delaying, or searching for any other 
place than that to which they had been accustomed, and kept con- 
tinually vociferating “ Ho-my ! Ho-my !” It was natural that they, 
ignorant of the cause, should suppose we had other things in view 
than that of landing ; and one of them who had received a bottle as 
a present from some of our people, imagining we were come in search 
of it, ran into the water as far as he could, holding it up at arm s length, 
and when he could advance no farther, threw it towards the boat, and, 
in spite of our signs for him to keep it, he followed the boats, and kept 
throwing the bottle towards us, until he found it was of no use. 
A short distance below the place where the multitude were assem- 
bled, the rocks admitted a freer access to the shore than above, and we 
effected a landing. 
Directly the boats touched the beach, one of the natives who 
Was near them took off his turban and waved it to his countrymen, 
who instantly answered the signal with a shout, and rushed towards the 
spot. The foremost of their party stopped within a short distance of 
us until the crowd came up to him, and then advanced and saluted 
Mr. Belcher, who was unarmed, by rubbing noses. Obseiving there 
Was some distrust of a fowling-piece which I held in my hand, I 
placed it against a rock for an instant among our own party, while I 
advanced a step to salute a person who appeared to be the leading man 
of the islanders. The opportunity this afforded the natives of indulging 
f^fleir favourite propensity was not overlooked ; and one of them, regard- 
less of all risk, thrust himself between our people, snatched up the gun, 
and, mino-ling with the mob with the greatest adroitness, succeeded in 
Q, 2 
