93 
me, and I was often complimented by 
them for my knowledge of their lan¬ 
guage ; and the appearance of my per¬ 
son had very much improved, my hair 
and beard being long, and my skin turn¬ 
ed nearly as black as their own S I was 
often importuned to have my ears bor¬ 
ed and stretched, but never gave my 
consent, which much surprised them, it 
being a great mark of beauty. They 
begin at the age of four years, and per¬ 
forate the lower part of the ear, with a 
jsharp pointed stick; and as the ear 
stretches, larger ones are inserted, un¬ 
til it will hang nearly to their shoulders ! 
The larger the ear, the more beauty the 
person possesses ! 
About a fortnight after I saw the ship 
pass, Hussey came with his master, on 
a visit. His disappointment was great, 
and we could only cheer each other, by 
hoping for the best, and wait patiently 
the pleasure of Heaven. 
Hussey again left me, but we parted 
under less bodings of evil than before, 
for the kindness of the natives began te> 
