Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/201

] turn on shore, they were transported with joy. A short time after he and King Toobou's son were both sent ashore in our barge, to the Island of Pangaïmotoo. The wife and daughter of Titifa followed us in their canoe, when, as they were passing close by the Esperance, a blunderbuss went off by accident, and hit their canoe, which they were obliged to quit, as in consequence she presently filled. We took them into our boat, and expressed our great sorrow at this mischance; but they soon forgot the danger they had run, for they were with Titifa, and thought of nothing more but the pleasure of seeing him set at liberty. We made them a present of a few articles of hardware, among which a hatchet gave them great satistaction. Titifa told us, he should employ this in constructing another canoe, so that he should soon repair the loss he had just experienced.

When we landed, most of the natives retired from the shore, and were proceeding into the interior part of the island: but Titifa desired them to return, and ordered them to range themselves in a circle, which they immediately did. Our trade then recommenced with the greatest order imaginable. This chief would not quit us the whole time; but Toobou's son disappeared as soon as he set his foot on shore.