COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
39 
and dragging him into the boat, against which he ir- 
resisted stoutly, and, even when taken, it required Feb. 26. 
two men to hold him to prevent his escape. During 
the interval of heaving to and bringing him on 
board, the cutter was anchored near the central 
island, where a tribe of natives were collected, 
consisting of about forty persons, of whom the 
greater number were women and children ; the 
whole party appeared to be overcome with grief, 
particularly the women, who most loudly and. vehe- 
mently expressed their sorrow by cries, and rolling 
on the ground, and covering their bodies with the 
sand. When our captive arrived alongside the 
vessel and saw Boongaree, he became somewhat 
pacified, and suffered himself to be lifted on board ; 
he was then ornamented with beads and a red 
cap ; and upon our applauding his appearance, 
a smile momentarily played on his countenance, 
but it was soon replaced by a vacant stare. He 
took very little notice of any thing until he saw 
the fire, and this appeared to occupy his attention 
very much. Biscuit was given to him, which, 
as soon as he tasted, he spat out, but some 
sugared water being offered to him, he drank 
the whole ; and upon sugar being placed be- 
fore him, in a saucer, he was at a loss how to 
use it, until one of the boys fed him with his 
fingers, and when the saucer was emptied, he 
