Then, leaving some beads and
pieces of cloth in exchange for some spears, which we took away with
us, we returned to our boat, observing on our way several light canoes,
each made of a single piece of bark, bent and laced up at both ends.
In the evening two boats' crews were sent away fishing, and they caught
in two hauls of the seine nearly three hundredweight of fish. Hartog,
after our first landing, made many friendly overtures to the natives,
who would not, however, hold any communication with us, from which we
came to the conclusion that other navigators had been here before us,
not so well disposed.
With regard to the gold and precious stones we expected to find, our
inspection of the blacks' camp convinced us that nothing of the kind
existed, at all events, in this part of the country. Such ornaments or
utensils as the natives seemed to possess were of the crudest
description, made of wood or clay, or consisting of shells and pebbles
from the seashore. The stories of fabulous wealth, therefore, to be
found in this new land appeared to be myths. It was to seek for
treasure that the "Endraght" had been equipped by a number of merchants
at Amsterdam, of whom my master, De Decker, made one, and we realized
how disappointed they would be if we returned empty-handed.
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