their language, which, I conceive, may be of use to persons visiting this island; and may, perhaps, not be unacceptable to many others, who are exempt from the toil and danger of distant navigation.
By the help of the native I brought to England with me, I acquired as much practical knowledge of their tongue as would enable me to make myself understood upon most subjects. It is true, he would sometimes laugh at my ignorance and want of comprehension; but, on the whole, he was so complaisant as to pronounce me a tolerably apt scholar.
I shall not swell these pages by a long account of words not likely to come into use during a transient visit, but merely give such as will enable the navigator, or visitor, to make himself understood, as to the common topics of conversation in his intercourse with the natives.
