COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
217 
with their request so far as to take off his shirt, * 819 . 
but upon their requiring still further exposure, he Jul y 2 - 
declined it rather unceremoniously, and dressing 
himself again returned to his occupation. This 
opposition to their wishes incensed them so much, 
that they could not help shewing it; they then 
wanted to take some of the clothes away by force, 
and upon being prevented, their conduct evinced 
strong signs of an impending rupture ; and as 
two of the natives, one of whom had been on the 
most friendly terms with us, had armed themselves 
with spears, which had previously been concealed 
in the mangrove bushes close at hand, one of our 
people was immediately despatched to the tent 
for a musquet. The spears were then divided 
amongst the natives, who fixed them in their 
throwing-sticks ready to throw. They then pe- 
remptorily insisted that our people should retire, 
and leave their clothes behind them, but this 
being again refused, they became highly enraged, 
and running off to a little distance made a 
stand, and threw a spear which passed between 
three of our people, and broke in the ground : 
seeing that it had not taken effect, another 
spear was thrown which also fell harmless. 
At this moment the musquets arrived, and 
were fired over their heads, upon which they 
started off at full speed, and were quickly out of 
