17G PARTING WITH THE NATIVE. 



spears on the raft, besides the one he used for 

 paddling ; one of them was about 12 feet long, also 

 pointed at each end, though not barbed; and a 

 small stick, similar to that used by other natives 

 for throwing at birds, and small animals. As well 

 as we could understand by his signs, it appeared 

 that he had been anxiously waiting our arrival, and 

 had pushed off from the main to intercept the boat, 

 on our leaving Bathurst Island. We threw him a 

 line, and he immediately comprehended our inten- 

 tion, and its use, by at once making fast to the raft ; 

 an instance of confident reliance upon our good 

 intentions, which reflected much credit upon the 

 unsuspicious openness of his own character, and 

 which I should have exceedingly regretted by any 

 act of ours to abuse. Had not the distance and our 

 scant supply of food, rendered such a step impru- 

 dent, I should have been very glad to have towed 

 him to the ship. I really believe he would have 

 trusted himself with us, for that or a much longer 

 distance ; but this could not be, and therefore, after 

 endeavouring to make him understand that we 

 should sleep some distance to the south, where there 

 was a larger boat, alluding to the ship, we filled 

 his basket with bread, gave him as much water as 

 he could drink, and bidding him farewell, reluc- 

 tantly cut him adrift : I shall not soon forget the 

 sorrowful expression of his countenance, when this 

 apparently inhospitable act was performed ; it did 

 not seem however to quench his regard for his new 



