62 
I (William Lay,) left the tent on a 
visit to the village, where I was receiv¬ 
ed with the same kindness as before*— 
An old man between 50 and 60 years of 
age, pressed me to go to his house and 
tarry during the night, which I did.— 
The natives continued in and around 
the tent until a late hour, gratifying their 
curiosity by a sight of me. I was provi¬ 
ded with some mats to sleep upon, but 
the rats, with which the Island abounds, 
prevented my enjoying much sleep. 
At 10 o’clock I took my leave of 
them, with the exception of a number, 
who accompanied me to the tent. 
Silas Payne and John Oliver, togeth 
er, with two or three others, set out in 
one of the boats, for the purpose of ex¬ 
ploring the Island, and making new dis¬ 
coveries, leaving the rest of us to guard 
the tent. They were absent but one 
night, when they returned, bringing with 
them two young women, whom Payne 
and Oliver took as their wives. The wo¬ 
men apparently showing no dissatisfac¬ 
tion, but on the contrary appeared much 
