132 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1 S 2 U from south-west, and blew so strong as to cause 
Dec. a considerable swell where we were lying; but 
towards sunset the breeze moderated, and the 
natives were again admitted on board; there 
were, however, only eleven, for the rest, having 
worn out their patience, had walked away. 
They were now quite tractable, and never per- 
sisted in doing any thing against our wishes. 
The words by and by” were so often used by 
us in answer to their cau-wah, or ‘‘ come here,” 
that their meaning was perfectly understood, and 
always satisfied the natives, since we made it 
a strict rule never to disappoint them of any 
thing that was promised, an attention to which is 
of the utmost importance in communicating with 
savages. Every evening that they visited us 
they received something, but as a biscuit was 
the most valuable present that could be made, 
each native was always presented with one upon 
his leaving the vessel ; during the day they were 
busily occupied in manufacturing spears, knives, 
and hammers, for the evening’s barter ; and when 
they came in the morning, they generally brought 
a large collection, which their wives had, proba- 
bly, made in their absence. 
29. On the 29th, we had completed our holds 
with wood and water, and prepared to leave 
the harbour. In the morning there was thirteen 
