142 
SURVEY OP THE INTERTROPICAL 
I 82 ii out in the direction of their dwelling-place, and 
Dec, 31. upon the boat’s crew landing and carrying it 
along the beach, the natives followed and in- 
timated by signs that we should not go that 
way ; as soon, however^ as the anchor was fixed, 
and they understood our intention, they assisted 
the people in carrying the hawser to make fast 
to it. 
They were well-acquainted with the effects of 
a musket, although not the least alarmed at 
having one fired off near them. Every thing 
they saw excited their admiration, particularly 
the carpenter’s tools, and our clothes ; but what 
appeared to surprise them above all other things 
was the effect produced upon the flesh by a 
burning glass, and of its causing the explosion 
of a train of gunpowder. They perfectly un- 
derstood that it was from the sun that the fire 
was produced, for on one occasion, when Jack 
requested me to shew it to two or three strangers 
whom he had brought to visit us, I explained to 
him that it could not be done while the sun 
was clouded ; he then waited patiently for five 
minutes, until the sun-shine re-appeared, when 
he instantly reminded me of the removal of the 
obstacle. He was a good deal surprised at my 
collecting the rays of the sun upon my own 
hand, supposing that I was callous to the pain. 
