Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/285

] on our approach, but they resumed their courage upon our presenting them with some pieces of cloth, and a few glass beads.

We next went towards two great fires that were kindled by the savages in one of the most gloomy parts of the forest. They dispersed as soon as they perceived us, leaving two baskets filled with the bark of trees.

Soon after we arrived on the borders of some marshes, where we killed several beautiful birds of the genus muscicapa: they had been attracted thither by the swarms of musquitoes, which served them for food. Further on we found two young girls who had just lighted a fire: they were dressing for their repast different sorts of roots, amongst which I recognized several belonging to plants which I had met with under the shade of the large trees in the forest. The girls left their provisions for some time, retiring as we approached them.

On our quitting the wood, we met with several savages who accompanied us to our landing place. They were much amused with seeing Citizen Riche's dog pursue some of the natives who were at a considerable distance, and whom he soon overtook, though they ran as fast as they could. As he did them no injury, those who were with us begged us to set him at some women who