286 ‘ AUSTRALIA CHAP. XII 
for bed-clothes, and grass pillows, but above all the entire 
absence of mosquitos, made me and, I believe, all of us sleep 
almost without intermission. Had the Indians come they 
would certainly have caught us all napping; but that was 
the last thing we thought of. 
8th. The tide serving at daylight, we set out for the ship. 
On our passage down we met several flocks of whistling 
ducks, of which we shot some. We saw also an alligator 
about seven feet long come out of the mangroves and crawl 
into the water. By four o’clock we arrived at the ship. 
10th. Four Indians appeared on the opposite shore ; 
they had with them a canoe made of wood with an out- 
rigger, in which two of them embarked, and came towards 
the ship, but stopped at the distance of a long musket shot, 
talking much and very loud to us. We called to them, 
and waving, made them all the signs we could to come 
nearer. By degrees they ventured almost insensibly nearer 
and nearer till they were quite alongside, often holding up 
their lances as if to show us that if we used them ill they 
had weapons and would return our attack. Cloth, nails, 
paper, etc. etc., were given to them, all which they took 
and put into the canoe without showing the least signs of 
satisfaction. At last a small fish was by accident thrown 
to them, on which they expressed the utmost joy imaginable, 
and instantly putting off from the ship, made signs that 
they would bring over their comrades, which they very soon 
did, and all four landed near us, each carrying in his hand 
two lances, and his stick to throw them with. Tupia went 
towards them ; they stood all in a row in the attitude of 
throwing their lances; he made signs that they should lay 
them down and come forward without them; this they 
immediately did, and sat down upon the ground. We then 
came up to them and made them presents of beads, cloth, etc., 
which they took, and soon became very easy, only jealous 
if any one attempted to go between them and their arms. 
At dinner-time we made signs to them to come with us 
and eat, but they refused; we left them, and they going 
into their canoe, paddled back to where they came from. 
