Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/328

302 cocoa-nut trees. Their whole cloathing consisted of a piece of mat, round their middle.

The men were very busy about our boats. Some swam towards them, showing their cocoa-nuts; and others seemed to be attracted by curiosity; but it was soon discovered that this was not their only passion; for they exerted all their address to get possession of our goods. Impunity increased their boldness; and, when they missed their aim, they were not discouraged; but presently endeavoured to seize something else.

One of those thieves seized upon a knife; but being caught in the fact, he was obliged to give it up. This did not make him abandon his enterprize, and he lost nothing by his failure. A flag, in which red predominated, attracted his regards: he found means to get possession of it, and the theft was not perceived till he had got a great way from the boat, and had almost reached the island.

A looking-glass having been given to one of those savages, he contemplated his image with surprize; but immediately broke the glass, hoping, no doubt, to find in it the objects which it reflected.

The complexion of those islanders is black, but not very deep. Their physiognomy is agree- able,