Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/293

] sure to see that they were not insensible to music. They offered us a number of things in exchange for the instrument, making signs for it, by imitating the motions of the fiddler upon a paddle. But they soon found that their solicitations were fruitless. It was the only fiddle by which the ship's company danced; and we had too long a voyage before us, to think of parting with the instrument, which procured us an exercise so salutary to seamen.

We had so loaded them with presents, that they soon began to make difficulties in giving their commodities in exchange for ours, to procure which they had recourse to unfair arts. The Commander had agreed to give them some handkerchiefs striped with red, their favourite colour, for a bow, and trusting too much to their good faith, had delivered them the handkerchiefs: but instead of the bow, they would only give some arrows, which were refused.

Those natives seemed to have a great propensity to gaiety. They seemed to take pleasure in repeating the words which they heard us pronounce; and the sweetness of their language enabled them easily to succeed in the imitation.

They were passionately fond of music, and particularly of the most brisk and noisy tunes. One of the officers, who was a good performer, played