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SURVEY OF THE 1NTERTROPICAL 
181R. One of them was an elderly man, on whose cheek 
Jane 29. was a recently-healed spear-wound; after some 
little communication, they were easily induced to 
follow him towards our tent, but the moment they 
saw the cutter’s mast through the trees they 
stopped, and could not be prevailed upon to ad- 
vance a step nearer ; and, after devoting some 
time in watching us from the hills, walked away. 
Upon Mr. Cunningham’s making his appearance 
with the strangers, I went towards him, to prevail 
upon them to visit our encampment, but they 
seemed more anxious that we should follow 
them, intimating by signs that they would give us 
something to eat ; neither party, however, appear- 
ing inclined to yield to the other’s invitation, they 
30. soon went away, but the next day, twelve natives 
boldly visited our watering party, and followed 
them to the tent, where they remained some 
time watching our movements with great atten- 
tion. They repeatedly made signs for hatchets, 
but evinced great aversion to a clasp-knife, 
although its use was shewn to them. Mr. Bed- 
well obtained a shield from one of them, of a 
crescented shape, and painted with black stripes , 
it was made from the wood of the erythrina indica 
or coral tree, which grows abundantly near the 
anchorage. This interview lasted two hours, at 
the end of which we parted mutually satisfied with 
