AN ENCOUNTER WITH JARAWAS 191 



pronounced to be Jarawas, and, as it was considered to be a 

 suitable opportunity to attempt to establish friendly relations 

 with them, the census party made for the shore, in a boat 

 manned by Andamanese, taking with them a quantity of 

 presents, a rifle, and some boards and cushions to serve as 

 shields in case of hostilities, and an Andamanese woman, whose 

 shrill cries it was hoped might prove to the savages pacific 

 intentions. The crew, as usual, took their bows and arrows, 

 but carefully concealed them, and, as the boat approached the 

 shore, all waved handkerchiefs and large pieces of red cloth, 

 much appreciated by the other Andamanese, while the woman 

 loudly and unceasingly screamed friendly messages But it was 

 soon apparent that the Jarawas meant fighting, for they sent 

 their women and children away to a distance, and then three 

 of the men, armed with bows and arrows, and with threatening 

 cries and gestures, waded out towards the boat, loo yards 

 distant, through the shallow water intervening. The three 

 advanced in line, at intervals of about fifteen paces, and placed 

 themselves so that the centre man could rake the boat and 

 the others shoot into it from either side. 



No arms were shown from the boat, but friendly signs per- 

 severed with, until the man on the right flank, who was the 

 leader, when well within bow-shot, raised his weapon, and as it 

 was seen that he was evidently in the act of discharging it, 

 which would have been the signal for the others to follow suit, 

 the rifle in the boat was fired at him, wounding him in the 

 thigh. This caused him to spin round and make off towards 

 the beach, followed by his supports. After running for a short 

 distance, he fell, and, while his two companions pluck ily picked 

 him up and carried him into the jungle, some of the others, 

 who had been looking on from the beach, yelled to the women, 

 with the result that they were seen to return as hurriedly as 

 possible. As the men on the beach evidently considered them- 

 selves in perfect safety, although only some 300 yards distant, 

 a second bullet was fired into the sand near them, much to 

 their astonishment and consternation, as they then and there 



