208 RENCOUNTER WITH NATIVES. 
11, Hopkinson came to the tent to say, that he was sure 
the blacks were approaching through the reeds. M'Leay 
and I got up, and, standing on the bank, listened 
attentively. All we heard was the bark of a native dog 
apparently, but this was, in fact, a deception on the part of 
the blacks. We made no noise, in consequence of which they 
gradually approached, and two or three crept behind the 
trunk of a tree that had fallen. As I thought they were 
near enough, George M'Leay, by my desire, fired a charge 
of small shot at them. They instantly made a precipitate 
retreat ; but, in order the more effectually to alarm them ; 
Hopkinson fired a ball into the reeds, which we distinctly 
heard cutting its way through them. All was quiet until 
about three o’clock, when a poor wretch who, most proba- 
bly, had thrown himself on the ground when the shots 
were fired, at length mustered courage to get up and effect 
his escape. 
In the morning, the tribe kept aloof, but endeavoured, 
by the most earnest entreaties, and most pitiable howling, 
to gain our favour ; but I threatened to shoot any that 
approached, and they consequently kept at a respectful 
distance, dogging us from tree to tree. It appeared, there- 
fore, that they were determined to keep us in view, no 
doubt, with the intention of trying what they could do by 
a second attempt. As they went along, their numbers 
increased, and towards evening, they amounted to a 
strong tribe. Still they did not venture near us, and only 
now and then shewed themselves. Our situation at this 
