20 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1821. sionally levelling my gun, kept them at bay 
June 22, whilst we retreated towards the wreck, from 
which we were about half a mile distant. By 
this time Mr. Roe, who had also heard the noise, 
joined ; but, as he had not a gun, the only 
assistance he brought was an addition to our 
number. Among the four foremost of the na- 
tives was a mischievous boy, who, being em- 
boldened by our not firing, and shewing an 
anxiety to get away from them, fixed his spear 
and aimed it at me ; upon which I fired my gun, 
but, as it was only loaded with small shot, it 
had no effect at the distance he was from me ; 
the noise, however, arrested their pursuit for a 
moment; and by the time they recovered their 
surprise, I had reloaded with ball, but to my 
great mortification, upon presenting the gun to 
deter the boy from throwing his spear again, it 
missed fire: the weapon, which at first was 
aimed at me, was then thrown at one of the 
Dick’s men, and, piercing his hat, which he 
was carrying at his breast, fortunately, full of 
shells, only slightly wounded one of his fingers. 
The man, who to all appearance was danger- 
ously wounded, for the spear stuck in the hat 
and hung suspended in the air, drew it out, 
and, throwing it on the ground with the greatest 
composure, continued to retreat. The natives 
