Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/78

60 only a simple crown of hair. (See Plates IV. and V.) We made the same observation with respect to several of the children, but none of the men. These had the back, breast, shoulders, and arms, covered with downy hair.

Two of the stoutest of the party were sitting in the midst of their children, and each had two women by his side. They informed us by signs, that these were their wives, and gave us a fresh proof that polygamy is established among them. The other women, who had only one husband, were equally careful to let us know it. It would be difficult to say which are the happiest; as the most laborious of their domestic occupations devolve upon them, the former had the advantage of a partner in them, which perhaps might sufficiently compensate their having only a share in their husband's affections.

Their meal had continued a long time, and we were much surprized that not one of them had yet drank: but this they deferred, till they were fully satisfied with eating. The women and girls then went to fetch water with the vessels of sea-weed, of which I have already spoken, getting it at the first place they came to, and setting it down by the men, who drank it without ceremony, though it was very muddy and stagnant. Then they finished their repast. When