Revised Jun 21 2021
The captain and his company having safely landed, are at once greeted and attended by a number of the natives, who have descended from the village to the little beach. All then ascend the hill; and the first walk is usually to the school-house, where the strangers obtain a sight of the island-register, and examine the shipping-list, in which they enter the name of their own vessel; whence she has come, and whither she is bound. After some preliminary conversation, the representatives of the several families, one at least from each house, assemble; and after a hearty welcome, and the interchange of friendly expressions, inquire what is wanted for the vessel, as to vegetables, refreshments, &c. A list is handed in of the articles in demand, such as yams, sweet potatoes, &c., the price of these goods being always the same in time of scarcity as of plenty. The inhabitants then, in their turn, inquire of the captain, what he has to dispose of. This is generally found to be coarse cotton cloths, soap, oil, &c., with perhaps some small quantities of lead or iron. While the captain is engaged in conversation with the teacher, on matters of mutual and general interest, the health of the Queen being the first in the series of questions and answers, the inhabitants retire, and consult among themselves what each person's proportion of the captain's wants amounts to. This being settled, each repairs to his own plantation to procure his part, which in every instance is, as far as possible, an equal share from each family.
Such is the reliance placed by visitors on the honesty and integrity of the islanders, that in no case does the captain think it necessary, either himself or by proxy, to be present at the weighing or measuring of the articles required. One of the islanders is appointed to remain at the market-place, to take an account of the things sent on board; and the mode of dealing is always cheerfully acceded to by the authorities of the vessel. The articles are removed from the market-place to Bounty Bay, where they are deposited at the captain's risk, and from whence they are conveyed in boats; or, if the surf is heavy, the goods are packed in casks, which are conducted by the natives, who swim with them through the heavy surf to the boats lying outside the broken water.