Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/262

204 every man was almost covered with it, and at the same time others where scarcely a man had a spot, except on his lips, which seems to be always essential.

These people would not part with any of their arms, etc., for any price we could offer. At last, however, one produced an axe of talc and offered it for cloth; it was given, and the canoe immediately put off with it; a musket ball was ﬁred over their heads, on which they immediately came back and returned the cloth, but soon after put off and went ashore.

In the afternoon other canoes came off, and through some inattention of the ofﬁcers were suffered to cheat, unpunished and unfrightened; this put one of the midshipmen who had suffered upon a droll, though rather mischievous, revenge. He got a ﬁshing-line, and when the canoe was close to the ship hove the lead at the man who had cheated him with such good success that he fastened the hook into his back, on which he pulled with all his might; the Indian kept back, so that the hook soon broke in the shank, leaving its beard in the man, no very agreeable legacy.

30th. Several canoes came off to the ship very early, but sold little or nothing; indeed, no merchandise that we can show them seems to take with them. Our island cloth, which used to be so much esteemed, has now entirely lost its value. The natives have for some days past told us that they have some of it ashore, and showed us small pieces in their ears, which they said was of their own manufacture. This accounts for their having been once so fond of it, and now setting so little value upon it. Towards noon, however, they sold us a little dried ﬁsh for paper, chiefly, or very white Indian cloth.

In the evening we went ashore upon the continent. The people received us very civilly, and were as tame as we could wish. One general observation I here set down: they always, after one night's consideration, have acknowledged our superiority, but hardly ever before. I have often seen a man, when his nearest companion was wounded or killed by our shot, not give himself the trouble to inquire how or by what means he was hurt. When they attack they work