COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
19 
men went to the wreck to collect the spars and i82i. 
planks that had escaped the mischievous fires of June 22. 
the natives ; and at five o’clock I joined them with 
the master of the Dick and Mr. Roe, ordering 
Mr. Bedwell to relieve the shore party with some 
fresh hands at eight o’clock* When the time 
arrived, supposing that the relief-party had nearly 
reached the shore, I sent the people over the 
hill, in order to be ready when the boat arrived 
to go on board ; and in the mean time amused 
myself in wandering about the reef near the 
wreck, where Mr. Roe was also employed. Mr. 
Harrison (the master of the Dick) was at the 
further end of the beach with his fowling-piece, 
with two of his boat’s crew picking up shells : — 
when suddenly they were surprised by hearing a 
loud shout, and seeing several spears strike the 
rocks about them : upon looking round, Mr. Har- 
rison found that a party of natives were ad- 
vancing upon him with their spears poised; upon 
which he presented his gun at the foremost, but, 
from his having waded about in the water, the 
powder had got damp and would not go off. Im- 
mediately that I heard the shout of the natives, 
and saw Mr. Harrison retreating from the In- 
dians, who were in close pursuit, I hastened to 
his assistance, and came up in time to prevent 
them from doing any mischief; and, by occa- 
c 2 
