COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
41 
seen peeping over the bushes and rocks which 1 818 < 
concealed them, and attentively watching what Feb * 21 
was going on. Our friend stood in the posi- 
tion of, and as motionless as, a soldier at drill, 
and answered all their interrogatories and in- 
quiries without making the least movement. He 
was soon allowed to approach nearer, and then 
the whole party cautiously advanced, with their 
spears still poised, and surrounded him. His 
body was then carefully examined; and upon the 
women and children being allowed to approach, 
they seated themselves in a ring and placed him 
in the middle, when he told his story, which occu- 
pied about half an hour. Upon its being finished, 
they all got up, and, after shouting and hallooing 
to us, they went to the opposite side of the island, 
leaving our presents upon the beach, after having 
carefully examined them. 
Before sunset Mr. Roe and Mr. Cunningham 
pulled towards the island in the jolly-boat: on 
its approach the natives came down and appeared 
anxious for the crew to land ; but the shore was 
too rocky to admit of doing so with security, and 
after making the natives a few presents, to obtain 
which they waded up to their arms in the water, 
the party returned. The natives were much 
amused with Boongaree’s appearance, and fre- 
quently addressed him, but his answering them 
