38 
SUKVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
ISIS. 
Feb725. 
26 . 
near it, on a spot of tolerable soil, Mr. Cun- 
ningham sowed some peach-stones. 
At daylight we left this anchorage, and pro- 
ceeded to penetrate to the eastward towards a 
deep bight or strait ; the wind was, however, so 
light, that we were compelled to anchor until the 
sea-breeze set in, when the vessel was again 
under sail, and proceeded onwards. As we 
advanced, three natives were seen in the water, 
apparently wading from an island in the centre 
of the strait towards Lewis Island : the course 
was immediately altered to intercept them, but 
as we approached, it was discovered that each 
native was seated on a log of wood, which he 
propelled through the water by paddling with 
his hands. Having hove to, close by them, they 
became much alarmed, and cried out in loud 
tones, which were increased when our boat was 
lowered and despatched after them ; but it was 
not without the greatest difficulty that Mr. Bed- 
well succeeded in bringing one on board. On 
the boat’s coming up with the nearest Indian, he 
left his log and, diving under the boat’s bottom, 
swam astern ; this he did whenever the boat ap- 
proached him, and it was four or five minutes be- 
fore he was caught, which was at last effected by 
seizing him by the hair, in the act of diving. 
