CAPTAIN king's INTERVIEW, 
195 
account of his interview with the natives of Dourga 
Strait, in the second chapter of this work, he will have 
been e3C]>ecting every instant ; and a similar termination 
would prohably have occurred on this occasion, but for 
the caution of the experienced coniraander. On the 
following morning the natives were again seen, but the 
vessel was already under weigh, and their proceedings of 
the previous day were not of a character to render farther 
intercourse desirable. 
" The night passed without our being disturbed by or 
hearing anything of the natives; but at daylight, on 
looking at the place where they had been concealed 
during the last evening, a canoe, which had been observed 
hauled up among the bushes, was missing, and we con- 
cluded that they were close to us ; this proved to be the 
case, for no sooner had we cleared the point, than the 
natives sallied forth from the thicket, and, running up to 
their middles in water to within thirty yards of the vessel, 
set up a loud shout, which startled us not a little ; for, 
busied as we were in securing the anchor, and making 
sail, our attention at the moment was otherwise directed ; 
and the first intimation we had of their vicinity was from 
the noise they made, which was accompanied by violent 
gestures, and pressing invitations for our return ; but we 
continued our way, and disregarded all their solicita- 
tions/'''' 
The information collected by Captain King in the 
course of this survey, led to the temporary occupation of 
the north coast of Australia by the British Govemment ; 
• Kiuf, " Survey," vol i, p. 120* 
K 2 
