board out of the water. They were formed of strips of cocoanut-wood
neatly sewn together. When they got within a short distance of the
schooner they ceased paddling, and no signs we could make would induce
them to come alongside. To calm their fears, we offered them various
articles. On this one canoe paddled briskly up, near enough to have the
things thrown into her; then away she went, and another approached.
After this, apparently to show their gratitude, they began a monotonous
song. This made us all laugh, when they stopped and grinned in return;
but although they seemed inclined to be friendly, they would not trust
themselves near us. Harry, however, thought that they might possibly
not object to our landing on their island. A boat was accordingly
lowered, and Charles Tilston, Dick, and I, with Tom Tubb, Jacky Pott,
and Lizard, went in her. We carried several articles for barter,
hoping, as we observed a large grove of trees on the shore, to obtain
some cocoanuts. The moment the natives saw the boat, however, they
paddled away and returned to the shore. As we approached the beach they
assembled, shaking their spears, dancing, shouting, and making signs to
us to keep off. When we retired a short distance they calmed down, but
when we again approached they resumed their former behaviour, thus
giving us to understand that, though they wished to be friendly, they
did not desire a closer acquaintanceship. When we once more retired,
they followed us in their canoes, but without exhibiting any hostility.
We found that Tom Tubb, the New Zealander, could make himself clearly
understood, and we desired him to say that we wanted some cocoanuts; but
they replied that they had only a sufficient number for themselves, and
could not part with them. On our holding up various articles they
cautiously approached, and presented us with some curious fish-hooks,
matting, adzes made from the shell of the Tridachna and ground very
sharp, as also with numerous pearl shells. We came to the conclusion
that they had some good reason to mistrust white men; indeed, we
afterwards discovered that such was the case. The articles they valued
most were buttons, pieces of iron, bottles, and cloth. We tried to
obtain some of their spears and clubs, but with these they would not
part. As we rowed away we saw them waving green boughs, a universal
sign of good-will among the Pacific islanders. Their clothing consisted
of the maro, a cl