'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎225] (334/496)

225
intelligent of his race, honored us with his company on board. lie
made himself quite agreeable, and explained, by signs, the meaning of
many words in his language. If we did not at once pronounce them cor
rectly, he would make us repeat the word over and over again, until at
last the right accent was caught. If more than one put a question, he
would make signs for the last person to wait until he had replied to the
first, and then would turn and give the required answer. He visited the
gun-room, naked as he was, whilst we were taking our supper, and seated
himself down by our desire at the table, partaking very heartily of a
cold round of beef, biscuits, and some coffee, all of which he appeared
to relish ; but wine or spirits of any sort he expressed the utmost abhor
rence of: we gave him some to taste, but he made such a dreadful sputter
about it, that we refrained from trying him again. He watched us
eating very narrowly, and then followed our example in everything we
did. The knife and fork were used as if he really had been accustomed
to them, and it was astonishing to see how well he conducted himself
whilst on board. His manners were gentle and pleasing, and he was alto-
gether a tine specimen of this savage race; being tall, well proportioned and
muscular, and though not strikingly handsome, yet the expression of his
countenance was decidedly good. We showed him a small musical box?
and set it going, and his amazement at hearing the sounds this produced
was very amusing: we could not keep him seated on his chair, but with
eyes and mouth open he danced about the cabin in the most frantic
manner, fancying it must be something living : he looked under the table,
lifted tae chairs, and peeped into all the cabins, as if determined to find
out where the animal was secreted, and he was not satisfied until we
showed him the mechanism of the box : but this was as puzzling to him
as ever—he could not make it out at all; and at last, flipping his fingers
and shaking his head, gave it up in despair. The tones of this little in
strument so enchanted this wild creature, that he eagerly sought it as a
present for his piccaninnies; but we were obliged to refuse this modest
request, as we knew in such hands it would speedily be demolished. He
vas also deliguted witn a picture we shewed him of a group of female
fi 0 uies, which he pressed to his breast, and bestowed on them sundry
waim though not very tender kisses. The expression of savage joy, as he
sat gazing with astonishment on the painting, was truly absurd : he
icathed quickly, his large eyes rolled in his head, his body was erect,
ami gUtsped the frame of the picture so tight that we thought he would
u\t destioyed the only three beauties in the ship: liownver, as fortune
would have it, our young ladies came off scathless, though we had some