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 Perrouse, that the natives
of California, and throughout all the islands of the Pacific Ocean,
and in short wherever he had been, seemed equally touched and delighted
with this little plaintive air.
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