om the first, that some youths of their own, though
considerably older than the one with us, were, kept back by the grown
people.

Several more now came up, to whom, we made various presents, but our
toys seemed not to be regarded as very valuable; nor would they for a
long time make any returns to them, though before we parted, a large
club, with a head almost sufficient to fell an ox, was obtained in
exchange for a looking-glass. These people seemed at a loss to know
(probably from our want of beards) of what sex we were, which having
understood, they burst into the most immoderate fits of laughter,
talking to each other at the same time with such rapidity and
vociferation as I had never before heard. After nearly an hour's
conversation by signs and gestures, they repeated several times the word
whurra, which signifies, begone, and walked away from us to the head of
the Bay.

The natives being departed, we set out to observe the country, which,
on inspection, rather disappointed our hopes, being invariably sandy and
unpromising for the purposes of cultivation, though the trees and grass
flourish in great luxuriancy. Close to us was the spring at which Mr.
Cook watered, but we did not think the water very excellent, nor did
it run freely. In the evening we returned on board, not greatly pleased
with the latter part of our discoveries, as it indicated an increase of
those difficulties, which before seemed sufficiently numerous.

Between this and our departure we had several more interviews with the
natives, which ended in so friendly a manner, that we began to entertain
strong hopes of bringing about a connection with them. Our first object
was to win their affections, and our next to convince them of the
superiority we possessed: for without the latter, the former we knew
would be of little importance.

An officer one day prevailed on one of them to place a target, made of
bark, against a tree, which he fired at with a pistol, at the distance
of some paces. The Indians, though terrified at the report, did not run
away, but their astonishment exceeded their alarm, on looking at the
shield which the ball had perforated. As this produced a little shyness,
the officer, to dissipate their fears and remove their jealousy,
whistled the air of Malbrooke, which they appeared highly charmed
with, and imitated him with equal pleasure and readiness. I cannot help
remarking here, what I was afterwards told by Monsieur De Perrou