When we first landed, many of the natives repeated the word, Englees, as if to enquire whether we were of that nation, but when they understood that we were they shook their heads and said, Espagnol: possibly, therefore, the discovery of our nation might prevent them from being as courteous on shore as they had been in their canoes." [* Bamboos were the only water vessels in the Pelew Islands.

See Wilson, chap.xxv.p.

312.] [* This was the Chinam, or coral, burnt to lime, always used with the betel.

See Wilson's Account, p.27.The Areca is the nut, the leaves only of betel are used.

These are produced by different plants.] From some of the above circumstances it is undeniably evident that these people have had intercourse with Europeans, and probably with the Spaniards; and from the aversion which they expressed to the English, it seems not an unfair conjecture that this island might perhaps be Artingall, where our countrymen had distinguished themselves five years before by the assistance they gave to a hostile state*: but if so, their knowledge of the Spaniards must have been posterior to the departure of the English, who from the narrative must have been the first Europeans seen there.