UNEXPECTED INTERFERENCE. 
105 
lions, and thus prepared, having already lowered the sail, 
we drifted onwards with the current. As we neared the 
sand-bank, 1 stood up and made signs to the natives to de- 
sist ; but without success. I took up my gun, therefore, 
and cocking it, had already brought it down to a level. A 
few seconds more would have closed the life of the nearest 
of the savages. The distance was too trifling for me to 
doubt the fatal effects of the discharge; for I was deter- 
mined to take deadly aim, in hopes that the fall of one man 
mio-ht save the lives of many. But at the very moment, 
when my hand was on the trigger, and my eye was along 
the barrel, my purpose was checked by M'Leay, who called 
to me that another party of blacks had made their appear- 
ance upon the left bank of the river. Turning round, I ob- 
served four men at the top of their speed. The foremost of 
them as soon as he got a-head of the boat, threw himself 
from a considerable height into the water. He struggled 
across the channel to the sand-bank, and in an incredibly 
short space of time stood in front of the savage, against 
whom my aim had been directed. Seizing him by the 
throat, he pushed him backwards, and forcing all who were 
jn the water upon the bank, he trod its margin with a vehe- 
mence and an agitation that were exceedingly striking. At 
one moment pointing to the boat, at another shaking his 
clenched hand in the faces of the most forward, and stamp- 
ing with passion on the sand ; his voice, that was at first 
distinct and clear, was lost in hoarse murmurs. Two of 
the four natives remained on the left bank of the river, but 
