COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
23 
ceiving that we had now in our turn the supe- 
riority, began to draw away, and appeared to be 
as anxious to get rid of us as we had been, half an 
hour before, to escape from them ; but we accom- 
panied them half way across the reef, watching an 
opportunity to seize the boy who had wounded 
the Dick's man, whom I intended to keep a 
prisoner while we were here, and then to dismiss 
him with presents, to shew that we were not 
inimical to them, although angry at being so 
treacherously attacked. My intention, however, 
was probably suspected^ for they avoided our 
approaching sufficiently near them to effect my 
purpose with the certainty of success, I therefore 
called our people away to resume their work at 
the wreck, and, after leaving orders with Mr. 
Bedwell not to fire but in self-defence, and if an 
opportunity offered, to seize the boy, went on 
board with the party to breakfast. I had not, 
however, left the shore long before hostilities 
again commenced, and several shots were mis- 
chievously fired at the natives by some of the 
Dick’s and San Antonio’s people, who, being 
advanced, had very improperly endeavoured to 
cut off three of them, upon which one of the 
natives poised his spear with a threat of throw- 
ing it, when several muskets were fired at these 
miserable wretches, who, fortunately for them. 
1821. 
June 22. 
