Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/131

] as laborious to himself; or if any one of them dared to pass the enclosure that was traced out, by a few hand's-breadths only, he immediately threw at him the first thing that came to hand, as a warning for him to retire, without paying any regard to the injury that might be done by it. A young man, who advanced a little too far, had nearly lost his life by his inattention to the orders of Futtafaihe, who immediately threw at him with violence a large log of wood, but he was fortunate enough to avoid the blow.

We were obliged to cross this numerous circle to penetrate into the interior part of the island; and it was not easy to avoid treading on the feet or legs of the natives, who sat on the ground very close together, all with their legs across; yet, far from being angry, they held out their hands to assist us when, for fear of hurting them, we knew not where to set our feet. A few of them followed us.

We found many of the people employed in constructing huts, in order to remain on the island of Pangaïmotoo; whither they were attracted by our making choice of this little island as a market place for the provision, with which they could supply us. Several of these huts were already finished. The islanders, whom we met with in