lace before us with Angatan, than he resolved to
land, notwithstanding the evident reluctance of the crew, and the open
remonstrances and warnings of Sinbad. I suspected, I scarcely know why,
that he cherished a vague hope of being able to gain here some clue to
the fate of his missing brother. On approaching the shore, we found
that a heavy surf broke upon it, but there was a good beach, and a
landing could be effected without much difficulty. We accordingly took
in our sail, and resorting to the paddles, made for what seemed to be a
favourable spot. Soon after passing the black rock before alluded to, I
observed several figures stealing along the shore, in the covert of a
row of mangrove bushes, and apparently watching our movements. When we
had reached the edge of the surf, and were preparing to dash through it,
they came out of the thicket, and with threatening gestures warned us
away. This created such a panic among our crew, that they could not be
prevailed upon to paddle nearer. Rokoa stood up in the bow, and made
such signs and gestures as are used to indicate peaceful and friendly
intentions, while Barton displayed some of his most attractive-looking
trinkets. The people on shore now seemed to confer together, and in a
few moments, one of their number, who, from his stained tiputa of yellow
and crimson, appeared to be a chief or person of consequence, came down
to the water's edge, waving a green bough, and beckoning us to land.
Our Sinbad pronounced this sudden apparent change in their disposition
towards us, to be a treacherous pretence, designed to lure us ashore, in
order that they might plunder, kill, and devour us; but, as he did not
explain why, if such was their object, they should in the first place
have menaced us as they had done, we gave little heed to his warnings.
The party of natives did not seem greatly to outnumber us, and were not
particularly formidable in their appearance. They were, as well as we
could judge at such a distance, of no more than the ordinary stature.
With the exception of the individual already referred to, in the gay
tiputa, they wore nothing but the maro, and were armed with long spears.
Nevertheless, our crew still refused to make any nearer approach,
suspecting that more of the natives were lurking among the mangrove;
ready to sally out upon us at the proper moment if we should venture to
land.

"Rokoa, finding all attempts to overcome the cowardice of our men
un