290 AUSTRALIA CHAP. XII 
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 
