NEW SOUTH WALES. 347 



threw a spear in another; both sunk, and were 

 not se&k again. These animals were supposed 

 to be sea-lions, and were observed no where but 

 in this river. ! 



Not finding fresh water to fill up their casks, 

 they dug a hole in a low situation a hundred 

 yards inland. The first foot was fine vegetable 

 earth, mixed with a little black sand ; the three 

 following feet were different layers of sand, and 

 then they came to the hardened black clay of 

 which the rocks on the banks were formed. 

 Here the water began to ooze in at the sides of 

 the hole, which in the course of six-and-thirty 

 hours was filled, but with very thick water. 

 Fortunate, however, there was no occasion to 

 make use of it ; as oiue of the people, rather in- 

 cautiously strayed into the wood, and met with 

 a deep hole containing some very good water, 

 and with this they completed their stock. 



While they we're making up the sails, which 

 had been loosed in the morning to dry, three 

 natives appeared on the beach, a little distance 

 from the vessel, unarmed as before. Bong-ree went 

 to them in his usual manner, but they would 

 not suffer Lieut. Flinders, or indeed any of the 

 party to come near them, without previously lay- 

 ing down their guns. Yarn caps, pork, and 

 biscuit, were given them, all of which they 

 took, with apparent delight, and made signs for 

 Bong-ree to go with them, that they might give 

 him girdles and fillets, for his head and arms. 

 While their visitors were only two, the natives 

 seemed lively, dancing and singing; but, the] 



