s until
it was again interrupted by a creek, over which we threw a tree and passed
upon it. While this was doing, a native, from his canoe, entered into
conversation with us, and immediately after paddled to us with a frankness
and confidence which surprised every one. He was a man of middle age, with
an open cheerful countenance, marked with the small pox, and distinguished
by a nose of uncommon magnitude and dignity. He seemed to be neither
astonished or terrified at our appearance and number. Two stone hatchets,
and two spears he took from his canoe, and presented to the governor, who
in return for his courteous generosity, gave him two of our hatchets and
some bread, which was new to him, for he knew not its use, but kept
looking at it, until Colbee shewed him what to do, when he eat it
without hesitation. We pursued our course, and to accommodate us, our new
acquaintance pointed out a path and walked at the head of us. A canoe,
also with a man and a boy in it, kept gently paddling up abreast of us.
We halted for the night at our usual hour, on the bank of the river.
Immediately that we had stopped, our friend (who had already told us his
name) Gombeeree, introduced the man and the boy from the canoe to us. The
former was named Yellomundee, the latter Deeimba. The ease with which these
people behaved among strangers was as conspicuous, as unexpected. They
seated themselves at our fire, partook of our biscuit and pork, drank from
our canteens, and heard our guns going off around them without betraying
any symptom of fear, distrust or surprise. On the opposite bank of the
river they had left their wives and several children, with whom they
frequently discoursed; and we observed that these last manifested neither
suspicion or uneasiness of our designs towards their friends.

Having refreshed ourselves, we found leisure to enter into conversation
with them. It could not be expected that they should differ materially from
the tribes with whom we were acquainted. The same manners and pursuits, the
same amusements, the same levity and fickleness, undoubtedly characterised
them. What we were able to learn from them was that they depend but little
on fish, as the river yields only mullets, and that their principal support
is derived from small animals which they kill, and some roots (a species of
wild yam chiefly) which they dig out of the earth. If we rightly understood
them, each man possesses two wives. Whence can arise thi