We were not invited to enter the village, and as two boat-sheds were erected on the beach, one of which was empty, we took up our quarters under it, and brought the goods up out of the boats, which by this time were no longer afloat, the reefs having fallen dry for some distance out to sea. As the natives continually pressed around us, we posted sentries round the shed, who had great difficulty in keeping out the crowd. With a view to inspire them with confidence, I went entirely unarmed and alone into the village, and visited the chiefs and elders in their houses. Neither women nor children were to be seen, and on my remarking this, I was answered that they had gone out to labour in the plantations. Our arrival had not been unexpected, as it had already been announced to them from Vordate. The uncourteous reception I met with, therefore, annoyed me extremely, as it could not be otherwise than premeditated. In the meantime I invited the chiefs to approach me, and made them acquainted with the object of my visit, informing them of the good intentions of the Government; after which I caused the letter to be read to them, and distributed the presents, which were similar in every respect to those given to the chiefs of Vordate. They were received, however, with the greatest indifference, as if they conferred a favour on us by accepting them, and any remarks that I made on the subject were scarcely listened to. Until late at night they continually importuned us for arrack in the most rude manner, and even went so far as to take away the bottles from among our things without asking leave. We found it to be necessary to take the greatest precaution; and this, coupled with the indifference of our dwelling, which admitted both wind and rain, caused us to pass a very unpleasant night. From the early part of the morning we were again annoyed by people asking for arrack. We requested the chiefs to furnish us with some water and two earthern pots, in which to cook rice and other provisions, but we received neither; and I was necessitated to send the seamen to a river, a quarter of an hour's walk from us, to obtain some of the former, there being no wells near the village. In the early part of the morning a number of women passed us laden with faggots and bamboos full of water, the rattling of the rings on their legs creating a sound similar to that made by the movements of a gang of chained criminals. I had given permission to two of the seamen to enter the village, with the view of purchasing some goats and fowls; but these soon returned, stating that they had received very unfriendly treatment in the village, and had been unable to obtain anything. One of them having laid down his handkerchief, found that it was gone when he returned to take it up. I requested the chiefs to cause it to be given up, but did not succeed in obtaining it, until I had paid the owner of the house in which it was lost, the value of two rupees.