OF LA PEROUSE. 3 



the fca ; and our curiofity to view the infide of 

 it, induced us to enter it. 



We had been informed, that fome perfons 

 belonging to the Efperance had, the evening 

 before, perceived, quite clofe to this houfe, 

 three natives feated round a fmall fire ; but that 

 thcfe favages, terrified by the report of a gun 

 fired at a bird, had fled with precipitation. We 

 were not long before we had another proof of 

 their prefence in this extremity of the bay ; and 

 it feemed to us that they habitually came and 

 flept in the houfe. We foon had reafon to re- 

 pent having entered this cabin ; for the vermin 

 that ftuck to our clothes bit us fliortly after hi 

 a very difagreeable manner. 



The flood-tide had jufl: brought up the fea 

 into the interior of the country. We there faw 

 a great many wild ducks, which did not fulfer 

 themfelvcs to be approached but at a very great 

 difl:ancc. This fear which they betrayed for 

 man, made me fuppofe that the natives deftroy 

 them. 



We had found few infedts in the woods ; but 

 on our return to the beach, we v.ere amply 

 compenfated- As the weather was very fine, 

 the infects had flown from all quarters ; and, 

 among the great number of thofe which had en- 

 deavoured to crofs the bay, t.iere had fallen in- 

 to the water a great many tk.A'mes, and various 

 e 2 coisop- 



