their dwellings; and they had bread-fruit, cocoanuts, plantains, and yams. As they had no dogs, the Captain left them a pair to breed. The names of several islands in sight, were obtained from these people, as well as the designation of their own island. The harbour was remarkably safe; but no stream of fresh water was observed. In returning on board in the evening, the Captain saw some of the natives commencing a dance, and heard the sound of a drum, and other music; but when he approached with the boat, to take a nearer view, all was silent.
Next morning, when the natives saw the Resolution under sail, they came off in canoes, and bartered more freely than before. Their honesty in trading deserves to be noticed, as it exhibited a striking contrast to the roguery of other S. Sea islanders. Some who had received goods, but had not delivered the price, used their utmost efforts to get up with the ship, to put the articles on board. One man, in particular, followed the vessel a great way; and having come up with it during a calm, he would not part with the article he had brought, to any one but the purchaser; and when the latter, who had forgotten the bargain, offered him something in return, he refused it, and shewed him what he had given for it already. These islanders set most value on pieces of cloth, and marbled paper. Like the other inhabitants of this group, the men wear no clothes, but a belt, and a small piece of cloth or leaf for a wrapper. The females, who seldom came near, wore a kind of petticoat. Both had bracelets, ear-rings, and an ornament, if it might be so called, piercing the bridge of the nose: but they are described as an ugly race, of a
