As On The Event Of This Meeting Might Depend
So Much Of Our Future Tranquillity, Every Delicacy On Our Side
Was requisite.
The Indians, though timorous, shewed no signs of resentment at the Governor's
going on shore; an interview commenced,
In which the conduct of both parties
pleased each other so much, that the strangers returned to their ships
with a much better opinion of the natives than they had landed with;
and the latter seemed highly entertained with their new acquaintance,
from whom they condescended to accept of a looking glass, some beads,
and other toys.
Owing to the lateness of our arrival, it was not my good fortune to go on shore
until three days after this had happened, when I went with a party to the south
side of the harbour, and had scarcely landed five minutes, when we were met by
a dozen Indians, naked as at the moment of their birth, walking along
the beach. Eager to come to a conference, and yet afraid of giving offence,
we advanced with caution towards them, nor would they, at first approach
nearer to us than the distance of some paces. Both parties were armed;
yet an attack seemed as unlikely on their part, as we knew it to be on our own.
I had at this time a little boy, of not more than seven years of age,
in my hand. The child seemed to attract their attention very much,
for they frequently pointed to him and spoke to each other; and as he was
not frightened, I advanced with him towards them, at the same time baring
his bosom and, shewing the whiteness of the skin. On the cloaths being
removed, they gave a loud exclamation, and one of the party, an old man,
with a long beard, hideously ugly, came close to us. I bade my little charge
not to be afraid, and introduced him to the acquaintance of this uncouth
personage. The Indian, with great gentleness, laid his hand on the
child's hat, and afterwards felt his cloaths, muttering to himself
all the while. I found it necessary, however, by this time to send away
the child, as such a close connection rather alarmed him; and in this,
as the conclusion verified, I gave no offence to the old gentleman.
Indeed it was but putting ourselves on a par with them, as I had observed
from 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.
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