VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES. 
with what juftice the fifh was diftributed, they appeared 
content. 
While we remained at Botany Bay, as I was one 
morning on board the Supply, we faw twenty-nine of 
the natives on the beach, looking towards the fliipping , 
upon which Lieutenants Ball and King, Mr. Dawes, and my- 
felf, went on fhore, landing at the place where they were. 
They were friendly and pacific, though each of them was arm- 
ed with a fpear or long dart, and had a flick, with a fhell 
at the end, ufed by them in throwing their weapons. 
Befides thefe, fome few had fhields made of the bark of the 
cork tree, of a plain appearance, but fufficient to ward ofF 
or turn their own weapons, fome of which were pointed 
and barbed with the bones of fifh, faftened on with fome 
kind of adhefive gum. One of the moft friendly, and who 
appeared to be the mod confident, on figns being made to 
him, ftuck the end of his fhield in the fand, but could noC 
be prevailed upon to throw his fpear at it. Finding he 
declined it, I fired a piftol ball through it. The explofion 
frightened him, .as well as his companions, a little; but 
they foon got over it, and on my putting the piftol into my 
pocket, he took up the iliield, and appeared to be much 
I furprifed 
