Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/328

272 ed to them. Their cottages were built under the shade of numerous plantations of cocoa trees.

We had not yet seen any canoes on that coast, when, about four in the afternoon, one came towards us. We were much astonished that the islanders who were in it durst venture out on a sea greatly agitated in so frail a vessel, the width of which was not any where more than two feet, and they sat in the deepest part in order to preserve a proper equilibrium. (See Plate XLIV.)

After having approached to about two hundred and fifty yards of our frigate, they addressed a few words to us in a very elevated tone of voice, pointing to their island, and inviting us to go on shore. They then came still nearer, but a violent gust of wind compelled them to return to the shore.

These islanders had not more clothing than the inhabitants of the island of St. Croix, to whom they bear great resemblance.

28th. This morning at day-break we perceived that the current had driven us 18′ east during the night. Our surprise at this was the greater, as the easterly wind, which prevailed at this time, should have counteracted the force of the currents. Can the tides occasion this singular direction of the currents in these latitudes?