A VOYAGE TO 
advanced made figns for the Englilli to retire, but when 
he faw Governor Phillip approach alone, unarmed, and 
in a friendly manner, he gave his fpear away and met him 
with perfect confidence. In lefs than three minutes 'Jie 
Engiilli party found itfelf furrounded by two hundred 
and twelve men ; but nothing occurred in this tranfac- 
tion which could in the leafl: confirm the idea, that the 
natives v\^ere accuftomed to a6i with treachery, or in- 
clined to take any cruel advantage of fuperiority in num- 
bers. The moment the offered friendHiip was accepted 
on their fide, they laid down their fpears and flone 
hatchets, and joined the party in the moil amicable man- 
ner. Numbers of women and children remained at a 
fmall diilance, fome of whom the men afterwards 
brought down to receive the little articles which were 
offered as prefents. Nothing was feen among thefe 
people which could at all prove that any of them had 
been engaged in the affray with the ruili-cutters ; and 
the Governor parted with them on the mofl friendly 
terms, but more convinced than ever of the neceility of 
treating them with a proper degree of confidence, 
in order to prevent difagreement. Had he gone up with 
all his party, or had he even hefitated a moment before 
he advanced himfelf, making the fignals of friendfiiip, 
a lance would probably have been thrown, after which 
nothing could have prevented a rencounter, w^hich in 
fuch circumfiances muft have been fatal. 
S Here 
