'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎219] (328/496)

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white flag at the peak. At 8 h. 15m. a. m. came to in fifteen fathoms, off
shore about half a mile.—No sooner was the anchor dropped, than the in
habitants launched their boats, and immediately pulled off. In the space
of a few minutes the Tigris was completely surrounded by about forty
canoes, filled with naked savages of both sexes: it was with the
greatest difficulty we could prevent them from climbing up the sides of
the vessel, and had not the precaution been taken of having the board
ing-nettings up, the decks would have been swarmed. A few men and
women only were permitted to come on board, and these really seemed
pleased with the distinction shown them. An amicable feeling having been
established, a brisk traffic soon commenced, the Natives holding up in
their hands the articles they wished to dispose of, consisting of cocoanuts,
yams, plantains, tortoise-shells, and their implements of war—viz., bows,
arrows, and spears. In exchange they received small looking-glasses, emp
ty bottles, beads, clasp-knives, axes, and old clothes ; but iron was of
all commodities most sought for, and appeared to be most prized : they
were constantly calling for “ tooree, tooree,” (iron, iron) in the most eag
er and vociferous manner, and we could hardly appease their wants. I
firmly believe had we remained at Murray’s Island another day, the ves
sel would have been literally stripped of all that metal—not a bolt, nail,
or hoop, would have been left. This bartering continued until nearly
sunset, when the natives, by our request, quietly left, and pulled away to
the shore, seemingly highly elated, not only with their bargains, but also
with their visit. The canoes are hollowed out of a single tree, and are
forty feet in length, two and a half in depth, and two feet wide in the
centre,—gradually decreasing towards the bows and stern, which are
sharp and slightly curved. They are pulled with short paddles, and are
fitted with out-riggers, extending three feet over the side, on which is
erected a platform of bamboo, where several people might sit: two
masts can be stepped amidships, between which they hoisted a sort of
lug-sail made of matting. The canoes were all adorned with feathers and
shells, and the natives appeared to take much trouble in thus decorating
them. It was a source of great fun to see these savages strutting about
the decks with only only one garment on, as proudly and consequentially
as possible. Their apparel was invariably put on the wrong way : some
vore their trowsers as jackets, fore part behind; and the shirts were slip
ped over the legs, and tied round the waist. One individual was actu
ally seen sitting on the deck, trying with all his might to force his huge
legs through the arm-holes of a coat, until one of the crew relieved
him from his difficult and laborious task, and placed it on the proper