Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/245

Rh thin. This was raised by a board on each side, with a strip of wood sewed over the seam to make it tight. On the prow of every one was carved the head of a man with an enormous tongue reaching out of his mouth. These grotesque figures were generally very well executed; some had eyes inlaid with something that shone very much. The whole served to give us an idea of their taste, as well as ingenuity in execution. It was certainly much superior to anything we have yet seen.

Their behaviour while on board showed every sign of friendship. They invited us very cordially to come back to our old bay, or to a small cove near it. I could not help wishing that we had done so, but the captain chose rather to stand on in search of a better harbour. God send that we may not have the same tragedy to act over again as we so lately perpetrated. The country is certainly divided into many small principalities, so we cannot hope that an account of our weapons and management of them can be conveyed as far as we must in all probability go; and of this I am well convinced, that till these warlike people have severely felt our superiority they will never behave to us in a friendly manner.

About an hour before sunset the canoes left us, and with us three of their people, who were very desirous to have gone with them, but were not permitted to return. What their reason for so doing is we can only guess; possibly they may think that their being on board may induce us to remain here till to-morrow, when they will return and renew the traffic by which they find themselves so great gainers. The three people were tolerably cheerful; entertained us with dancing and singing after their custom; ate their suppers and went to bed very quietly.

12th. During last night the ship sailed some leagues, which, as soon as the three men saw, they began to lament and weep very much, and Tupia could with difficulty comfort them. About seven o'clock two canoes appeared, one of which contained an old man who seemed to be a chief, from the fineness of his garment and patoo patoo, which was made