266 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1819. the verge of the cliff, immediately over the wa- 
AugT"i7. tering-place, and thrown over, was readily con- 
veyed to the boats. When our party first 
mounted the cliffs, a throwing stick, a broken 
spear, and some stones were found, that had 
evidently been left by the natives in their hasty 
retreat when the musquets were fired : the spear 
was made of the mangrove tree, hardened and 
made straight by exposing it to fire; and the 
throwing stick, of hard wood, probably either of 
eucalyptus, or casuarina; the latter weapon was 
only two feet in length, and not near so large 
or long as that used by the natives of Endeavour 
River. After the first day, the natives did not 
make their appearance ; the smoke of their fires 
was, however, observed over the south point of 
the island, about two miles off; but, notwith- 
standing the undisturbed manner in which our 
occupations advanced, it was found necessary to 
keep an armed party always ready, for there 
was no doubt that we were narrowly watched, 
and the first unguarded moment would have been 
taken advantage of by them for our annoyance, 
if not to our loss. This precaution prevented my 
improving my last year’s survey of the main 
coast; and as there did not exist any good 
reason to attach much importance to the sinu- 
osities of the coast hereabout, we did not 
remain at this anchorage after our wooding and 
