480 ENCOUNTER WITH A NATIVE. 



too, was alone; an attack immediately commenced 

 The native threw his spears, but without effect ; and 

 Captain Fyans, finding that the rain had wetted the 

 priming of his pistols, charged to cut him down ; 

 but such was his antagonist's dexterity in defending 

 himself with his shield, only a narrow piece of wood, 

 that beyond a few nicks on the fingers. Captain Fyans' 

 sword-cuts were of no avail. Several times he at- 

 tempted to ride over the native ; who, however, 

 doubled himself up in a ball under his shield, and was 

 saved by the natural reluctance of ahorse to trample 

 on a prostrate man in going over him. After 

 having been apparently more than once ridden down, 

 the chief managed to drive his llianole throuo^h 

 the horse's nose, and so firmly that he was unable to 

 withdraw it. The wound inflicted bled so freely 

 that Captain Fyans was obliged to pull up, and the 

 native made his escape. He was not only a fine 

 fellow in conduct, but in person, having a chest, as 

 Captain Fyans expressed it, " like a bullock's." I 

 afterwards learned that he displayed the sword-cuts 

 upon his shield in triumph at some of the sheep- 

 stations. 



From Corio Harbour* we proceeded to Hobson's 

 Bay, for a meridian distance, the result of which 

 was highly satisfactory, differing from our former 



* The approach to this harbour would be vastly improved by 

 a buoy placed at the cud of the spit extending nearly across 

 from Point Wilson on the north shore. 



