Various arts were ineffectually tried to induce
him to enter the ship; but as he continued to decline the invitation,
a barber was sent down into the boat along-side the canoe, from whence,
leaning over the gunnel, he complied with the wish of the old beau, to
his infinite satisfaction. In addition to the consequences which our
sanguine hopes led us to expect from this dawning of cordiality, it
affords proof, that the beard is considered by this people more as an
incumbrance than a mark of dignity.
CHAPTER XII.
The Departure of the French from Botany Bay; and the Return of the
'Supply' from Norfolk Island; with a Discovery made by Lieutenant Ball
on his Passage to it.
About the middle of the month our good friends the French departed from
Botany Bay, in prosecution of their voyage. During their stay in that
port, the officers of the two nations had frequent opportunities of
testifying their mutual regard by visits, and every interchange of
friendship and esteem. These ships sailed from France, by order of
the King, on the 1st of August, 1785, under the command of Monsieur
De Perrouse, an officer whose eminent qualifications, we had reason
to think, entitle him to fill the highest stations.
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