210 MANtEUVRES OF THE NATIVES 
a bight of the river, and walking down to the side of the 
water with a branch in his hand, in mark of confidence, 
presented me with a fishing net. We were highly pleased 
at the frank conduct of this black, and a convenient place 
offering itself, we landed and pitched our tents. Our 
friend, who was about forty, brought his two wives, and a 
young man, to us : and at length the other blacks mus- 
tered courage to approach ; but those who had followed us 
from the last camp, kept on the other side of the river. 
On pretence of being different families, they separated into 
small bodies, and formed a regular cordon round our camp. 
We foresaw that this was a manoeuvre, but, in hopes that 
if X forgave the past they would desist from further at- 
tempts, M‘Leay took great pains in conciliating them, 
and treated them with great kindness. We gave each 
family some fire and some presents, and walked together to 
them by turns, to shew that we had equal confidence in all. 
Our friend had posted himself immediately behind our tents, 
at twenty yards distance, with his little family, and kept 
altogether aloof from the other natives. Having made our 
round of visits, and examined the various modes the women 
had of netting, M'Leay and I went into our tent. 
It happened, fortunately, that my servant, Harris, was the 
first for sentry. I told him to keep a watchful eye on the 
natives, and to call me if any thing unusual occurred. We 
had again chosen a lofty bank for our position ; behind us 
there was a small plain, of about a quarter of a mile in 
breadth, backed by a wood. I was almost asleep, when my 
