50 
Payne gave them to understand that 
the wind had forced her to sea, and that 
from her want of sails, rigging, &c. she 
must be lost, and would never return.— 
The natives received the assurance 
with satisfaction, but it was evident, 
Payne apprehended her safe arrival at 
some port, and his own punishment; 
for we were immediately set to work, to 
tear one boat to pieces, for the purpose 
of raising upon another, which was to 
have a deck ; Payne alleging as area- 
son for this, that the natives might com¬ 
pel us to leave the Island. We leave 
the reader to judge, however, of his mo¬ 
tives, while we proceed to give an ac¬ 
count of what actually did transpire. 
The natives in considerable numbers 
continued tq attend us, and while the 
work was progressing, exhibited a great 
deal of curiosity. Their deportment 
towards us continued to be of the most 
friendly nature, continuing to barter 
with us, giving us bread fruit, cocoanuts, 
&c. for which they received in return, 
pieces of iron hoop, nails, and sueh ar- 
