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''During tlie three days in wLicli Lieutenant Kool lay 
at aiiclior under tlie south poiut of the northern entrance 
of the strait, no natives were observed, although smoke 
was seen to arise here and there in the foreat. On the 
1st of ilay both vessels entered the strait, and anchored 
towards evening nndur a point of land on the north shore, 
a good distance within the strait. On the following mom^ 
ing the cable of the ^ Sirecn' parted, and the strong tide 
having set her upon the bank at low water, the remainder 
of the day was spent in getting her adoat and in recovering 
the lost anchor. While they were thus busily employed, 
four natives made their appearance on the adjacent point, 
but no sooner was an attempt made to approach them in 
a boat, than they took dight into the forest. Shortly after- 
wards^ two canoea with twenty -five to thirty men in them, 
were seen near the opposite coast, and Lieutenants Kool 
and Banse crossed over towards thein j hut as the boat 
approached, the savages retired, and landing on the shore, 
they stood; with their bows strong and arrows prepared, 
in a posture of defiance. Mr. Kool placed some knives 
and some basins filled with tobacco on the beach, wbich 
were eagerly caught up with loud sbouts as soon as the 
boat had retired* An attempt was again made to approach 
them, but they retired as before, and all the attemjjts of 
the officers to obtain a close communication with them 
were unsuccessful ; their object being rendered the more 
difficult by the inabUity of the Ccramese interpreter to 
understand the language of these wOd bushmen. In the 
afternoon, a canoe with five natives approached close to 
the ' Postdhon," and the conmiander showed them cloth 
c 
