I retired a few paces,
warning the boat's crew to keep a good look-out, and especially from the
bush end of the village, where the man ran to. I invited the dusky
damsels to come to me, if they objected to my visiting them; but no, I
must return whence I came; they had seen me, that was enough.
"No, my friends; we must meet, and you will have some presents."
I held up beads and red cloth, but, strange to say, they seemed to have
no effect on that curious crowd. I never saw so many women together. How
were we to meet? was now the question; to be baulked by them would never
do. I threw on the beach a piece of red cloth and a few beads; walked
away quite carelessly, and apparently not noticing what was taking place.
A girl steals out from the crowd, stops, turns, eyes fixed on me;
advances, stops, crosses her hands, pressing her breast. Poor thing! not
courage enough; so, lightning speed, back. It is evident the old ladies
object to the younger ones attempting, and they are themselves too
frightened.
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