290 AUSTRALIA CHAP, xn 



The captain in the meanwhile followed the Indians to 

 prevent their burning our linen and the seine which lay 

 upon the grass just where they had gone. He had no 

 musket with him, so soon returned to fetch one, for no 

 threats or signs would make them desist. Mine was ashore, 

 and another loaded with shot, so we ran as fast as possible 

 towards them and came up just in time to save the seine by 

 firing at an Indian who had already fired the grass in two 

 distinct places just to windward of it. On the shot striking 

 him, though he was full forty yards away, he dropped his 

 fire and ran nimbly to his comrades, who all ran off pretty 

 fast. 



I had little idea of the fury with which the grass burnt 

 in this hot climate, nor of the difficulty of extinguishing it 

 when once lighted. This accident will, however, be a 

 sufficient warning for us, if ever we should again pitch tents 

 in such a climate, to burn everything around us before we 

 begin. 



22nd. One of our people who had been sent out to 

 gather Indian kale, straying from his party, met with three 

 Indians, two men and a boy. He came upon them suddenly 

 as they were sitting among some long grass. At first he 

 was much afraid, and offered them his knife, the only thing 

 he had which he thought might be acceptable to them ; 

 they took it, and after handing it from one to another 

 returned it to him. They kept him about half an hour, 

 behaving most civilly to him, only satisfying their curiosity 

 in examining his body, which done, they made him signs 

 that he might go away, which he did, very well pleased. 

 They had hanging on a tree by them, he said, a quarter of 

 the wild animal, and a cockatoo ; but how they had been 

 clever enough to take these animals is almost beyond my 

 conception, as both of them are most shy, especially the 

 cockatoos. 



23rd. In botanising to-day on the other side of the 

 river we accidentally found the greater part of the clothes 

 which had been given to the Indians left all in a heap 

 together, doubtless as lumber not worth carriage. Maybe 



