COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
113 
and retired to some distance to await our pro- isis. 
ceedings. On pulling towards the woman, who, May 17. 
by the way, could not have been selected by them 
either for her youth or beauty, she frequently 
repeated the words “ Ven aca, Ven aca,” accom- 
panied with an invitation to land; but, as we ap- 
proached, she retired towards the shore; when 
suddenly two natives, who had slowly walked 
towards us, sprang into the water and made 
towards the boat with surprising celerity, jump- 
ing at each step entirely out of the sea, although 
it was so deep as to reach their thighs. Their 
intention was evidently to sieze the remaining 
tomahawk which I had been endeavouring to 
exchange for the stand, and the foremost had 
reached within two or three yards of the boat,, 
when I found it neccessary, in order to prevent 
his approach, to threaten to strike him with 
a wooden club, which had the desired effect. 
At this moment one of the natives took up 
the stand, and upon our pointing at him, they 
appeared to comprehend our object; a consul- 
tation was held over the stand which was 
minutely examined; but, as it was mounted 
with brass and, perhaps on that account, ap- 
peared to them more valuable than a tomahawk, 
they declined giving it up, and gradually dis- 
persed; or, rather, pretended so to do, for a 
VOL. I. T 
