126 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1821 . some time, walked quietly and slowly away, fol- 
Dec. 24 lowed at a distance by his friends, who were lost 
in wonder at what could have happened to their 
sulky companion. The grog that he had been 
drinking had probably taken effect upon his 
head, and, although the quantity was very trifling, 
he might have been a little stupefied. 
25, At daylight the following morning the natives 
had again collected on both sides, and upon the 
jolly-boat’s landing the people to examine the 
wells. Jack, having quite recovered his good hu- 
mour, got into the boat and came on board. The 
natives on the opposite side were vociferous to 
visit us, and were holding long conversations 
with Jack, who explained every thing to them 
in a song, to which they would frequently ex- 
claim in full chorus the words — Cai, cai, cai, 
eaiy caigh/' which they always repeated when 
any thing was shewn that excited their surprise. 
Finding we had no intention of sending a boat 
for them, they amused themselves in fishing. 
Two of them were watching a small seal that, 
having been left by the tide on the bank, was 
endeavouring to waddle towards the deep water; 
at last one of the natives, fixing his spear in its 
throwing-stick, advanced very cautiously, and, 
when within ten or twelve yards, lanced it, and 
pierced the animal through the neck, when the 
