61 
sed by the most uncouthgrimaces, atten¬ 
ded with boisterous laughter, and caper¬ 
ing around us. What more particularly 
excited their astonishment was the white¬ 
ness of our skins, and their mirth knew no 
bounds when they heard us converse. 
Early on the morning of the 20th, 
we were ordered to go to work upon 
the boat ; but at the request of a num¬ 
ber, this duty was dispensed with, and 
we permitted to stroll about the Island. 
A number went to the village, carrying 
with them muskets, at the report of 
which and the effect produced by the 
balls, the natives were struck with wond¬ 
er and astonishment. The reader will no 
doubt agree with us when we pronounce 
this to have been a bad policy, for they 
certainly disliked to have visitors pos¬ 
sessed of such formidable and destruct¬ 
ive weapons. They however continu¬ 
ed to visit the tent without discovering 
any hostile intentions, and we continued 
- to put the utmost confidence in them, 
or more properly speaking to live with¬ 
out any fear of them. 
7 
