PORTER’S JOURNAL, 1 i 
pould induce them to come near the ship. I was anxious to pro¬ 
cure some refreshments, but more so to obtain a knowledge of a 
people with whom the world is so little acquainted. One of the 
canoes displayed a white flag: I caused a similar emblem of peace 
to be exhibited, and after waiting some time, perceiving that they 
were fearful of coming along side, I caused two boats to be man¬ 
ned and armed, and proceeded towards them. I soon approached 
them, and directed the Otaheitan to inform them that we were 
friendly disposed, and were willing to purchase of them the arti¬ 
cles they had to sell, which consisted of hogs, plantains, bread- 
fruit, cocoa-nuts, See. &c. and through the same medium inform¬ 
ed them that I should proceed to the shore, and there remain as a 
hostage for their safety. Some of them went off .to the ship, but 
the greater number followed me to the shore, where they were 
collected in groups, armed with their spears and war-clubs, to re¬ 
ceive me, and collecting in considerable numbers from every 
quarter. There were no women or children among them; and al¬ 
though both my boats were well armed I did not think it advisea- 
ble to put it in their power to make an attack on them, which 
would probably have terminated in the loss of several of their 
lives. I consequently directed lieutenant M‘Knight, who was in the 
other boat, to keep out of the surf, which beat with considerable 
fury on the beach, while I went close in with my boat, where I 
made an exchange of pieces of iron hoops and other articles for 
their ornaments and fruit: some of the former were handsome^ 
and consisted of several pieces of wood neatly joined together in 
the form of a gorget, and covered with small red beans, neatly at¬ 
tached to it by means of a resinous substaneg. In a few minutes 
the spears and war-clubs were lead aside, and swarms of natives 
swam off to me loaded with the produce of the island: all seemed 
greatly to rejoice that we had so precious an article to offer them 
as pieces of old iron hoops, which were held in such high estima¬ 
tion that good sized pigs were purchased for a few inches. Some, 
to express their joy, were seen dancing on the beach with the most 
extravagant gestures, while others expressed the pleasure they 
felt by shouting and clapping their hands; and although I invaria¬ 
bly paid them in advance for the articles received, I in no case, but 
pne, met with an instance of dishonesty. Three men presented them- 
VOL. IT. 
