108 THE AUTHOR SPEARED, 



one of the boat's crew to follow with the rest of the in- 

 struments. The walking was very bad, the reef being 

 strewed with coral fragments, and interspersed with 

 large pools. With my mind fully occupied by all we 

 had seen of late, I hurried on without waiting, and 

 reached the observation spot, just glancing towards 

 the cliff, which presented nothing to the view except 

 the silvery stems of the never-failing gum-trees. 



1 had just turned my head round to look after 

 my followers when I was suddenly staggered by a 

 violent and piercing blow about the left shoulder:* 

 and ere the dart had ceased to quiver in its destined 

 mark, a loud long yell, such as the savage only can 

 produce, told me by whom I had been speared. One 

 glance sufficed to shew me the cliffs, so lately the 

 abode of silence and solitude, swarming with the 

 duksy forms of the natives, now indulging in all the 

 exuberant action with which the Australian testifies 

 his delight. One tall bushy-headed fellow led the 

 group, and was evidently my successful assailant. 

 I drew out the spear, which had entered the cavity 

 of the chest, and retreated, with all the swiftness I 

 could command, in the hope of reaching those who 

 were coming up from the boat, and were then about 

 half way. I fully expected another spear while my 

 back was turned ; but fortunately the savages seemed 

 only to think of getting down to the beach to com- 

 plete their work. Onward I hurried, carrying the 

 spear, which I had drawn from the wound, and 

 * See the view annexed. 



