some of them to come on
deck. This they were naturally afraid to do, but at length one fellow
took heart and began by making a speech, which lasted for full fifteen
minutes. As none of the sailors understood a word of it, they were not
much enlightened; but the savage, who held a branch of the plantain-tree
in his hand during his oration, concluded by casting this branch into
the sea. This was meant as a sign of friendship, for soon after, a
number of similar branches were thrown on the ship's deck, and then a
few of the islanders ventured on board.

There was "much talk," however, on the part of the savages, before they
began to feel at ease. Trinkets of various kinds were now offered to
them, and they gazed around them with great interest, gradually losing
their fears under the kindness of Captain Wallis and his companions.
This happy state of things, however, was suddenly interrupted by a goat
belonging to the ship, which, not liking the appearance of the
strangers, attacked one of them unceremoniously, and butted at him with
its head. Turning quickly round, the savage was filled with terror on
beholding a creature, the like of which he had never seen before, reared
on its hind legs, and preparing to repeat the blow. Without a moment's
hesitation he rushed in consternation to the ship's side, and plunged
into the sea, whither he was followed by all his countrymen in the
twinkling of an eye. A storm of musket bullets could not have cleared
the deck more quickly than did the attack of that pugnacious goat!

In a short time they recovered from their terrors, the ill-behaved goat
was removed, and some of the natives were again induced to return on
board, where they were treated with the utmost kindness, and presented
with such trifling gifts as beads and nails, etcetera, much to their
delight. Notwithstanding this, however, the visit terminated
inharmoniously in consequence of one of the natives snatching a
gold-laced hat from an officer's head, and jumping with it into the sea!

After this Wallis stood in-shore, intending to anchor, and sent his
boats still closer to the land to take soundings. Here they were
immediately surrounded by a great number of canoes, and the captain,
suspecting the natives of hostile intentions, fired a nine-pounder over
their heads. They were much startled by the unknown and terrible sound,
but, seeing that no result followed, they proceeded to attack the boats,
sending showers of