VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES. 
fliort diftance from the fliore, we faw fixteen canoes, with 
twoperfons in each, and in fome three, employed in fifhing. 
They feemed to take very little notice as we pafTed them, 
fo very intent were they on the bufinefs in which they were 
engaged. On our landing, we faw fixty more of the natives, 
about two hundred yards diftant from us» Some of them 
immediately came up to us, and were very friendly. A 
black man, who carried our tents, gave two of them a 
flocking each, with which they feemed much pleafed ; and 
pointing to the naked, leg, exprefled a great defire to have 
that alfo clothed. The morning v/as fo cold, that thefe 
poor wretches flood fhivering on the beach, and appeared, 
to be very fentible of the comfort and advantage of being; 
clothed. 
We fent back our boats, and proceeded northward along 
the coaft about fix miles, where we were forced to halt 
for near two hours, until the tide had run out of a lagoon, 
or piece of water, fo as to admit of its being forded. 
While we were detained here, an old native came to us, 
and, in the mofl friendly manner, pointed out the fhallowefl 
part of the water we had to crofs; but the tide ran with too 
much rapidity at that time for us to attempt it. After v/e 
had 
