34 



NATIVES OF WEST HILL. 



but retired as we advanced upon them, and took 

 their post on the top of it, in an excellent position 

 for throwing spears. They were painted with white 

 streaks on various parts of the body. Giving 1 my 

 gun to Aird, I advanced with extended bands to 

 shew them I was unarmed ; then, gathering a green 

 branch, sat down. They shouted and used much 

 gesture and vociferation, and appeared very unwil- 

 ling to approach, waving to us with their hands, as 

 if to go out of the bay. I at last rose, and gradually 

 got near an old lame man, who had remained below 

 the cliff, and induced him to come to me, which he 

 did, holding his spear and waddy ready for action. 



While I kept him amused as well as I could, 

 Aird came up, and one or two of the tribe likewise 

 advanced to us. We then tied an old pocket-hand- 

 kerchief round the old man's head, after which he 

 spoke much and earnestly to us, frequently pointing 

 to his knee, which was bent and much swollen, and 

 talking in a lamentable tone of voice, as if describing 

 his misfortune. We sympathised with him as much 

 as possible, and then asked him by signs for fresh 

 water, when he pointed in both directions along 

 shore. We now left them, without taking any notice 

 of the rest, which with these savages is often the 

 best way of encouraging future friendly communi- 

 cation. The tide receded a long way, leaving lar> r e 

 flat sands exposed, on which were a few oyster- 

 catchers and curlew. We shortly, however, came 



