172 COOK’S VOYAGE. 
had not eaten. As wine generally warms and opens the heart, 
We took an opportunity, when we thought its influence began 
to be felt, to revive the fubjetl of the buffaloes and flieep, of 
which we had not in all this time heard a fyllable, though 
they were to have been brought down early in the morning. 
But our Saxon Dutchman, with great phlegm, began to com- 
municate to us the contents of the letter which he pretended 
to have received from the Governor of Concordia. He faid, 
that after acquainting him that a vefiel had fleered from 
thence towards the ifland where we were now afliore, it required 
him, if fuch ihip fhould apply for proviflon in diflrefs, to re- 
lieve her ; but not to fuffer her to flay longer than was abfo- 
lutely neceflary, nor to make any large prefents to the infe- 
rior people, or to leave any with thofe of fuperior rank to be 
afterwards diftributed among them : but he was gracioufly 
pleafed to add, that we were at liberty to give beads and other 
trifles in exchange for petty civilities, and palm-wine. 
It was the general opinion that this letter was a fidtion ; 
that the prohibitory orders were feigned with a view to get 
money from us for breaking them ; and that by precluding 
our liberality to the natives, this man hoped more eaflly to 
turn it into another channel. 
In the evening, we receiv.d intelligence from our trading- 
place. that no buffaloes or hogs had been brought down, and 
only a few fheep, which had been taken away before our 
people, who had fent for money, could pr^jure it. Seme 
fowls however had been bought, and a lai^^quantity of a 
kind of fyrup made of the juice of the palmKP^vhich, though 
infinitely fuperior to molafles or treacle^Mfeld at a very lew 
price. We complained of our difappointment to Mr. Lange, 
who had now another fubterfuge ; he faid, that if we had gone 
l down to the beach ourielves, we might have purchafd what we 
pleafed ; but that the natives were afraid to take money of our 
people, lefi It fhould be counterfeit. We could not but feel 
feme ind’gnation againft a man who had comealed this, be- 
ing true ; or alledged it, being falfe. I ftarted up, however, 
and went immediately to the beach, but no cattle or flieep 
were to be feen, nor were any at hand to be produced. "While 
I was gone, Lange, who knew well enough that 1 fhould iuc- 
ceed no better than my people, told Mr. Banks that the na- 
tives were difpleafed at our not having offered gold for their 
flock ; and that if gold was not offered, nothing would be 
bought. Mr. Banks did not think it worth his while to reply, 
but foon after rofe up, and we all returned on board, very 
much diflatisfied with the iffue of our negociations. During 
the courfe of the day, the King had promiled that fome cattle 
and fheep fhould be brought down in the morning, and had 
given a reafon for our difappointment fotnewhat more plau- 
Able ; 
