NEW SOUTH WALES. 345 



Notwithstanding he found the shoals very- 

 intricate ; yet, as there was depth of water enough 

 for the sloop, he determined to get her in. 



On these shoals several pelicans were seen ; 

 and they did not go far before they were salut- 

 ed with the well-known note of the swan, which 

 bird now took so much of their attention, that 

 before they left the river eight were killed. 



Having now nearly reached the end of their 

 excursion, two natives came to the beach, and 

 were very desirous they should land. Being dry 

 sand and at a distance to be safe from the reach 

 of spears, they put ashore on it. Lieut. Flin- 

 ders taking up his gun to fire at two red-bills, 

 at the same time, the natives alarmed ran to the 

 woods; Bong-ree following they returned, 

 when he made an exchange for their hair fillets 

 and belts, giving them a woollen cap in return, 

 and came to the boat for a piece of cloth and 

 some biscuit, to make the exchange more equal. 

 During this time Lieut. Flinders was on shore 

 with a gun, to cover him in case they behaved 

 improperly. On his advancing to them, they 

 were very violent for him to keep at a distance, 

 and would by no means suffer him to approach 

 without laying down his gun. Though 

 . this place was six miles from Point Skirmish, 

 it was evident that the fame and dread of fire- 

 arms had reached it, and undoubtedly it must 

 have been considerably increased by the shoot- 

 ing of the swans, which they witnessed. 



Returning down the river, they were hailed 



ta man on the West side, with a spear in hi* 

 y y 



