COASTS OP AUSTRALIA. 
07 
During the morning a canoe, containing six ibis 
or seven natives, had been seen on the oppo- March 29. 
site shore under Point Ross ; but as it had dis- 
appeared, and had probably brought the party 
over who had just robbed us. Mr. Bedwell 
suggested the idea of their having landed round 
the south point of the bay, where, if so, their 
canoe would be found. He was accordingly des- 
patched to bring it away as a reprisal for our stolen 
flags and tools, and upon his pulling round the 
point he saw several natives standing by the 
canoe, which was hauled up on the beach. On 
the boat pulling in, one of the natives poised a 
spear, but he retreated with his companions into 
the wood the moment that our party landed, 
without throwing it. The canoe was then 
launched and brought on board. It appeared to 
have originally belonged to the Malays, for it was 
made from a log of teak ; it was seventeen feet 
long and two feet broad, and had probably 
been either captured or stolen by these natives. 
During Mr. Bedwell’s absence I landed, to ob- 
serve some distances between the sun and moon, 
and this task was completed without interruption ; 
tl thieves were seen all the afternoon stand- 
ing among the trees, watching our movements ; 
and upon our making an excursion in the evening 
towards the north end of the bay, they were 
F 2 
