WHITENS JOURNAL OF A 
the grave. We cut down fome trees which ftood be- 
tween that on which the infcription is fixed and the 
fhore, as they prevented perfons pafling in boats from 
feeing it. 
Between this and the harbour's mouth, we found forty- 
nine canoes hauled upon the beach, but not a native to 
be feen. After we had pafTed them, we fell in with an 
Indian path ; and, as it took a turn towards the camp, 
we followed it about two miles ; when on a fudden, in a 
valley or little bay, to the northward of Botany Bay, we 
were furprifed at hearing the found of voices, which 
we inftantly found to proceed from a great number of 
the natives, fitting behind a rock, who appeared to be 
equally aftonifhed with ourfelves ; as, from the filence we 
obferved, they had not perceived us till we were within 
twenty yards of them. Every one of them, as they got 
up, armed himfelf with a long fpear, the fiiort ftick 
before defcribed, ufed in throwing it, a fhield made of 
bark, and either a large club, pointed at one end, 
or a flone hatchet. At firft they feemed rather hoftilely 
inclined, and made figns, with apparent tokens of anger, 
for us to return but when they faw the governor ad- 
vance 
