Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/344

286 for bed-clothes, and grass pillows, but above all the entire absence of mosquitos, made me and, I believe, all of us sleep almost without intermission. Had the Indians come they would certainly have caught us all napping; but that was the last thing we thought of.

8th. The tide serving at daylight, we set out for the ship. On our passage down we met several flocks of whistling ducks, of which we shot some. We saw also an alligator about seven feet long come out of the mangroves and crawl into the water. By four o'clock we arrived at the ship.

10th. Four Indians appeared on the opposite shore; they had with them a canoe made of wood with an outrigger, in which two of them embarked, and came towards the ship, but stopped at the distance of a long musket shot, talking much and very loud to us. We called to them, and waving, made them all the signs we could to come nearer. By degrees they ventured almost insensibly nearer and nearer till they were quite alongside, often holding up their lances as if to show us that if we used them ill they had weapons and would return our attack. Cloth, nails, paper, etc. etc., were given to them, all which they took and put into the canoe without showing the least signs of satisfaction. At last a small fish was by accident thrown to them, on which they expressed the utmost joy imaginable, and instantly putting off from the ship, made signs that they would bring over their comrades, which they very soon did, and all four landed near us, each carrying in his hand two lances, and his stick to throw them with. Tupia went towards them; they stood all in a row in the attitude of throwing their lances; he made signs that they should lay them down and come forward without them; this they immediately did, and sat down upon the ground. We then came up to them and made them presents of beads, cloth, etc., which they took, and soon became very easy, only jealous if any one attempted to go between them and their arms. At dinner-time we made signs to them to come with us and eat, but they refused; we left them, and they going into their canoe, paddled back to where they came from.