PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
131 
tbcir general conduct might have led us to expect, though the result is CHAI . 
much to be deplored. It confirmed my opinion, that the natural dis- 
position of the people is highly unfavourable to intercourse, and that Jan.^ 
they are restrained from acts of violence and aggression by the opera- 
tion of fear alone. With this impression, and finding the island so 
extremely deficient in supplies, that the natives could not spare us any 
thing, I was careless about renewing our visit, and we embarked without 
further molestation, and proceeded to the ship. 
The bay in which this village is situated lies on the N. E. side of 
Mount Duff; it is bordered by a sandy beach, behind which there 
is a thick wood of bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees ; above it, to the left, 
there is a second or upper village, upon a level piece of ground, where 
the natives retreat in case of necessity, 'fhe bay would be very de- 
sirable for an anchorage, were it not for the coral knolls at its entrance, 
which make the navigation difficult even for a boat. After this visit, 
the boats were again sent surveying ; and on the 12th we had com- 
pleted all that our time would admit of, by fixing the position of a num- 
ber of coral knolls which are dispersed over the navigable part of the 
lagoon, the greater part of which may be seen from a ship’s mast-head 
before she comes upon them. Oilr only want afterwards was a little 
fire-wood ; and having noticed several logs lying upon the shore abreast 
of the ship, Mr. Belcher was sent to purchase them. The natives readily 
sold them, and were very friendly as long as they were receiving presents; 
but directly he attempted to take them away, the islanders collected in 
the wood, and pelted the boat’s crew with stones. Three logs were how- 
ever got off, and Mr. Belcher was putting in for more, when, the natives 
again beginning to throw stones, he desisted. 
It is to be regretted that the disposition of the natives ob- 
structed the friendly intercourse we were anxious to establish. The 
task of correcting their evil propensities unfortunately devolved upon 
us, as the first visiters to the islands ; and we could not prolong our 
stay, or devote the time that was necessary while we did remain, to con- 
ciliate their friendship. But though unsuccessful in this respect, it is 
to be hoped that our visit will prove beneficial to others, by directing 
them to a port in which ships may be refitted or repaired, and where 
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