Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/329

] able, and not very different from that of the Europeans. Born in a fine climate, and a fertile island, they seem to be happy, if one may judge from the air of satisfaction, which is expressed in all their features. The hair of their heads is crisped, and they are in the practice of removing it from every other part of the body. It appeared that the volcanic glass, with which they pointed their spears, supplied them also with razors; for they made signs to one of our gunners, who wore whiskers, to shave them with this sort of glass.

The boats had orders to return about four o'clock. Their departure seemed sensibly to affect the natives, who redoubled their importunity in soliciting us to land in their island. All the women came to the beach, and joined their invitations to those of the men. They were, no doubt, much surprised that they had not more success; but the order had been given, and our boats could not delay their departure.

It was with regret that we left those people, at the moment when they had launched several canoes, loaded with cocoa nuts, and were bringing them to us. The delicious water of these fruits, would have been of the greatest utility in stopping the progress of the scurvy, which had already begun its ravages in both the ships. If our boats