j 799 0 OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 5*5 



the third ifland, after tacking; and the water deepened ahnoft imme- 

 diately to fix fathoms. 



At this time their attention was much attracted by a party of natives 

 from thefe iflands, who appeared to be (landing up in their canoes, and 

 pulling toward them with all their ftrength, and in very regular order. 

 They feemed to have long poles or fpears in their hands, with which 

 alfo they appeared to be paddling ; the whole of them fhifting their 

 hands at the fame inftant, after the manner of the South-fea i (landers. 

 As about twenty of them were counted, and feemed to be coming on 

 with much refolution, our people prepared for whatever might be the 

 event. The (loop was put under eafy fail, her decks cleared of every 

 incumbrance, and each man was provided with a competent number 

 of mufket-balls, piflol-balls, and buck-mot, which were to be 11 fed as 

 the diftance might require ; for it was intended that not a man mould 

 efcape if they commenced an attack. 



Thus prepared, they bore toward them, finding that with all their 

 exertions they did not approach much nearer to the vefTel. But, how 

 great was their furprife on difcovering, that, inflead of advancing in 

 canoes to attack them, they were (landing upon a large flat, that fur- 

 rounded the third ifland, driving fifh into their nets, and that they 

 had but two canoes among them ! They were (landing in a line, 

 fplafhing in the water with long (licks, firft for fome time on one 

 fide, and then all fhifting to fplafti on the other. Thus this hoftile 

 array turned out to be a few peaceable fifhermen : peaceable indeed; 

 for on the approach of the ve (Tel they funk their canoes upon the flat, 

 and retreated to the ifland, where they made their (ires. 



The flood-tide having ceafed to run, they anchored at noon, and by 

 the fun's meridional altitude, in 27 0 27' 16" fouth latitude. The third 

 ifland, on which the natives were, bore W. 4 0 S. one and a half or 

 two miles diftant, and the centers of the two northern ones N. 40 0 and 

 N. 1 5 0 W. The entrance from Moreton Bay bearing N. 68° E. from 

 this anchorage, corroborated its latitude by the obfervation of the 



3 t fyth, 



