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58 the latter, came off a Canoo with the Cabiceer, Captain John Hee, distinguished by an old Hat, and Sailor’s jackett with a greater number of thick brass Rings on his Fingers and Toes, than his Attendants. He seemed shy of entering the Ship, apprehending a Panyarring; his Town’s People having often suffered by the Treachery of Ships, and they as often returned it, sometimes with Cruelty, which has given rise to the Report of their being Savages and Cannibals at several places; very unlikely any where, because they could not part with their Slaves, which are but few, if they had this Custom, nor could they have any Trade or Neighbours: Their Fears would make them shun their Enemies (the rest of Mankind) and all Correspondence totally cease.

The Fetish they brought off, on this dangerous Voyage, was a Bundle of small, black Sticks, like a hundred of Sparrowgrass put into a Bag, knit of Silk-grass, and hanging over one of their Shoulders, seeming to place a Security and Confidence in it; for I would have handled and tasted it, but found it put them in a Fright, saying, to deter me, You didee, you kicatavoo, (i. e.) if you eat, you die presently.

The mutual Distrust between us, made their present Business only begging old Breeches, Shirts, Rags, Biskett, and whatever else they saw, parting in some hurry,