30 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ East Coast. 
1802. 
August. 
Wherever we landed there had been Indians ; but it was near 
the ship only, that any of them made their appearance. They were 
described by the gentlemen who saw them, as stout, muscular men, 
who seemed to understand bartering better than most, or perhaps 
any people we had hitherto seen in this country. Upon the outer 
bone of the wrist they had the same hard tumour as the people of 
Hervey’s Bay, and the cause of it was attempted, ineffectually, to be 
explained to one of the gentlemen ; but as cast nets were seen in 
the neighbourhood, there seems little doubt that the manner of 
throwing them produces the tumours. These people were not 
devoid of curiosity ; but several things which might have been sup- 
posed most likely to excite it, passed without notice. Of their dis- 
positions we had every reason to speak highly, from their conduct 
to our sailors; but particularly to the master’s mate and seaman 
who had lost themselves, and were absolutely in their power. On 
the morning we quitted the bay, a large party was again seen, com- 
ing down to the usual place ; which seemed to imply that our conduct 
and presents had conciliated their good will, and that they would 
be glad to have communication with another vessel. 
It is scarcely necessary to say, that these people are almost 
black, and go entirely naked, since none of any other colour, or 
regularly wearing clothes, have been seen in any part of Terra 
Australis. . About their fire places were usually scattered the shells 
of large crabs, the bones of turtle, and the remains of a parsnip-like 
root, apparently of fern ; and once the bones of a porpoise were found ; 
besides these, they doubtless procure fish, and wild ducks were seen 
in their posession. There are kanguroos in the woods, and several 
bustards were seen near Cape Keppel. The mud banks are fre- 
quented by curlews, ,gulls, and some lesser birds. Oysters of a 
small, crumply kind, are tolerably plentiful ; they do not adhere to 
the rocks, but stick to each other in large masses on the banks ; 
here are also pearl oysters, but not so abundantly as in Port Curtis. 
