North Coast: Torres' Strait ~\ INTRODUCTION. xxi 
Island bearing N. 6o° W., three leagues. Betwixt a sand-bank, Bligh and 
called Canoe Key, which bore S. 6o° W., two leagues, and a reef Vo *m*!*' 
lying in the W. by S., there appeared to be a passage, which the 
boats were sent to examine. 
On the 5th, boats were again sent to sound the passage. Several 
large sailing canoes were seen ; and the cutter making the signal 
for assistance, the pinnace was sent to her, well manned and armed. 
On the return of the boats in the afternoon, it appeared, that, of four 
canoes which used their efforts to get up to the cutter, one suc- 
ceeded. There were in it fifteen Indians, black, and quite naked ; 
and they made signs which were interpreted to be amicable. These 
signs the officer imitated ; but not thinking it prudent to go so near 
as to take a green cocoa-nut, which was held up to him, he con- 
tinued rowing for the ship. A man, who was sitting upon the shed 
erected in the centre of the canoe, then said something to those 
below ; and immediately they began to string their bows. Two of 
them had already fitted arrows, when the officer judged it necessary 
to fire in his own defence. Six muskets were discharged ; and the 
Indians fell flat into the bottom of the canoe, all except the man on 
the shed: the seventh musket was fired at him, and he fell also. 
During this time, the canoe dropped astern ; and the three others 
having joined her, they all gave chase to the cutter, trying to .cut her 
oft from the ship ; in which they would probably have succeeded, 
had not the pinnace arrived, at that juncture, to her assistance. The 
Indians then hoisted their sails, and steered for Darnley's Island. 
No boats could have been manoeuvred better, in working to wind- 
ward, than were these long canoes by the naked savages. Had the 
four been able to reach the cutter, it is difficult to say, whether the 
superiority of our arms would have been equal to the great differ- 
ence of numbers ; considering the ferocity of these people, and the 
skill with which they seemed to manage their weapons. 
September 6. Two boats were sent a-head ; and the vessels fol- 
lowed them, between Canoe Key and the reef lying from it half a mile 
