saw the reefs extending as far as the eye could 

 reach; but.no land to the Westward of the 

 Island, except a large sand- bank nearly even 

 with the water's Qdge y and not far from the 

 island. 



"■At the same time they also perceived a 

 great number of the natives round the boat, who 

 they supposed were trading with Captain Hill. 

 When they had made their observations, thev 

 began to descend ; by degrees the natives con- 

 trived to separate the three gentlemen at eight 

 or ten yards from each other, insinuating them- 

 selves between them in the path, which was 

 but narrow, under the pretence of assisting 

 them down the hill. 



" Mr. Haskett perceived boys of about 14 

 or 15 years of age lurking in the bushes as they 

 passed, with bundles of spears and arrow:s, of 

 which he informed Mr. Carter, who was the 

 foremost in the path, and asked Mr. Shaw, who 

 was behind them, if he saw them ? who an- 

 swered them in the affirmative. 



" Mr. Shaw begged the other gentlemen to 

 be on their guard ; and Mr. Haskett proposed 

 to Mr. Carter to turn all the natives before 

 them, as he could plainly perceive they were 

 bent on murdering them; but Mr. Carter said, 

 he thought that would shew signs of mistrust 

 or fear, and that he thought it better to go on 

 as they were, and be all upon their guard. 



u They had got down the hill the greatest 

 part of the way in this manner, when they wtvc 

 met by a very old man, who kissed Mr. Carter's 

 hand first, and then attempted to kiss Mr. lias- 



