er and the chests of
plate stowed away in the hold, they prayed with all earnestness to
Heaven for a successful termination to their voyage, and resolved, like
true men as they were, that nothing should be lacking on their part to
accomplish it.

At length a group of islands was seen, from which a large number of
canoes came off, manned some by four, others by fifteen men, bringing
with them cocoa-nuts, fish, potatoes, and fruits.  Their canoes were
formed out of one tree, but smoothly and cleverly hollowed out, having
the appearance of being skilfully burnished.  The bow and stern were of
the same shape, turned inwards in a semicircle, and highly ornamented
with glistening shells.  On either side of the canoe pieces of timber
were hung out, from a yard to a yard and a half long, according to the
size of the canoes, to the ends of which was fastened a beam, the object
being to keep them from upsetting.

The ears of the natives hung down on either side of their cheeks,
weighted by heavy ornaments.  Some had nails on their fingers an inch
long, and their teeth were as black as pitch, caused by rubbing them
with a black pigment contained in a cane.

On first coming alongside they appeared ready to trade in an ordinary
honest way, and gave the articles they had brought off willingly for
whatever they received; but others coming round in great numbers,
snatched up anything they could get hold of, and made off with it.

Drake, to show that this was not approved of, would not deal with those
who had thus behaved.  They still, however, came round with the greatest
impudence, and asked for more.  At length, to warn them, he ordered a
gun without shot to be fired over their heads.  On hearing the sound, in
natural alarm they leapt overboard, and dived under their canoes, when,
waiting until the ship had passed on, they got into them and made for
the shore.  Others, however, in a short time came off, one of whom had
the impudence to steal a dagger from a seaman's belt.  Being ordered to
restore it, instead of so doing, he g