226 
ENCAMP ON A HILL. 
well found in ground -tackle, might possibly occa- 
sion her being driven ashore, if a gale came on 
from the south-east. This news was by no means 
satisfactory, and I became anxious to get our things 
all landed that the cutter might go -to a place of 
greater safety. 
November 19. — The wind still being unfavour- 
able, the day was spent in removing the drays, 
tents, &c. to a more elevated situation. Our camp 
had been on the low ground, near the water, in the 
midst of many scrubby hills, all of which com- 
manded our position. There were now a great 
many well armed natives around us, and though 
they were very kind and friendly, I did not like the 
idea of their occupying the acclivities immediately 
above us — at all events, not during my contem- 
plated absence from the party. I therefore had 
every thing removed to the hill next above them, 
and was a good deal amused at the result of this 
manoeuvre, for they seemed equally as uneasy as 
we had been at the heights above them being occu- 
pied. In a very short time they also broke up 
camp, and took possession of the next hill beyond 
us. This defeated the object I had in view in our 
former removal, and I now determined not to be 
out -manoeuvred any more, but take up our position 
on the highest hill we could find. This was a very 
scrubby one, but by a vigorous application of the axes 
for an hour or two, we completely cleared its sum- 
mit ; and then taking up the drays, tent, baggage, 
