We have tried the meek and quiet up till now, and they only
become more impudent and threatening.
Having tried the peaceful and pleasant, we determined to show the natives
that we were not afraid, and resisted every demand, and insisted that
there should be no more leaping the fence. On demands being made, I
shouted, "No more; wait, and when Beritama fighting canoe comes, then
make your demands." They seemed afraid, and became less troublesome.
In the afternoon of January 2nd, the parties who have the hawser brought
it to me; but I would have nothing to do with it. I told them if
Pouairo, the settlement of the man who was shot, determines to attack us,
let them come, we, too, can fight. One of the teachers fired off his gun
at some distance from a bread-fruit tree, and the bullet went clean
through a limb of it; it caused great exclamations, and crowds went to
look at it.
The hawser was returned and left outside. We took no notice of it. The
people were much quieter, and no demands were made.
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