$ 1 $ AVOYAGETO 
1778, thefe circumflances, for us to think that they were repre- 
• fentatives of their gods, or fymbols of fome religious or 
fuperftitious obje&: and yet we had proofs of the little real 
eftimation they were in ; for with a fmall quantity of iron 
or brafs, I could have purchafed all the gods (if their 
images were fuch) in the place. I did not fee one that was 
not offered to me; and I actually got two or three of the 
very fmalleft fort. 
The chief employment of the men feems to be that of 
fifhing, and killing land or fea animals, for the fuftenance 
of their families ; for we faw few of them doing any thing 
in the houfes; whereas the women were occupied in manu¬ 
facturing their flaxen or woollen garments, and in prepar¬ 
ing the fardines for drying; which they alfo carry up from 
the beach in twig-bafkets, after the men have brought 
them in their canoes. The women are alfo fent in the 
fmall canoes to gather mufcles, and other fhell-fifh; and 
perhaps on fome other occahons; for they manage thefe 
with as much dexterity as the men ; who, when in the ca¬ 
noes with them, feem to pay little attention to their fex, by 
K figures, which were placed at one end of the apartment, carved on planks, of a gigantic 
“ proportion, and painted after their cuftom. However, I took as little notice of him as 
“ pofiible, and proceeded; to prevent which, he foon provided himfelf with a mat, and 
“ placed it in fuch a manner as to hinder my having any longer a fight of them. Being 
“ pretty certain that I could have no future opportunity to finifh my drawing, and the 
K object being too interefting to be omitted, I confidered that a little bribery might pro- 
“ bably have fome efFecf. Accordingly I made an offer of a button from my coat, 
<c which, being of metal, I thought they would be pleafed with. This, inftantly, produ- 
<{ ced the defired effedt. For the mat was removed, and I was left at liberty to proceed 
“ as before. Scarcely had I feated myfelf, and made a beginning, when he returned 
a and renewed his former practice, continuing it till I had parted with every fingle 
“ button; and when he faw that he had completely {tripped me, I met with no farther 
K obftrudtion.” 
offering 
