THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
267 
on it; and a perfon who was in it, who feemed to be a 
Chief, was no lefs remarkable for his uncommon appear¬ 
ance ; having many feathers hanging from his head, and 
being painted in an extraordinary manner *. He held in 
his hand a carved bird of wood, as large as a pigeon, with 
which he rattled as the perfon firif-mentioned had done; 
and was no lefs vociferous in his harangue, which was at¬ 
tended with fome expreflive geftures. 
Though our vifiters behaved very peaceably, and could 
not be fufpe6ted of any hoftile intention, we could not pre¬ 
vail upon any of them to come on board. They fhewed 
great readinefs, however, to part with any thing they had, 
and took from us whatever we offered them in exchange ; 
but were more delirous of iron, than of any other of our 
articles of commerce; appearing to be perfeffly acquainted 
with the ufe of that metal. Many of the canoes followed 
us to our anchoring-place; and a group of about ten or a 
dozen of them remained along-fide the Refolution rnoft part 
of the night. 
Thefe circumftances gave us a reafonable ground of hope, 
that we fhould find this a comfortable ftation to fupply all 
our wants, and to make us forget the hardfhips and delays 
experienced during a conftant fucceffion of adverfe winds, 
and boifterous weather, almoft ever fince our arrival upon 
the coaft of America. 
1778. 
March, 
* Vifcaino met with natives on the coaft of California, while he was in the harbour of 
San Diego, who were painted or befmeared with black and white , and had their heads loaded 
tuith feathers. Hijiory of California, Vol. ii. p.272. 
MlH2 
