120 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1 ^. down to receive us, and appeared from their 
Dec. 24. gestures to invite our landing ; but in this they 
were disappointed, for, after a little vociferation 
and gesture on both sides, we pulled into the 
harbour, whilst they walked along the beach 
abreast the boat. As the motions of every one 
of them were attentively watched, it was evident 
that they were not armed ; each wore a kangaroo- 
skin cloak over his left shoulder, that covered the 
back and breast, but left the right arm exposed. 
Upon reaching the spot which Captain Flinders 
occupied in the Investigator, I found that the 
brig could not anchor near enough to the shore 
to carry on our different operations without being 
impeded by the natives, even though they should 
be amicably disposed. Our plan was therefore 
altered, and,^as the anchorage formerly occupied 
by the Mermaid in the entrance of Oyster Har- 
bour would be, on all accounts, more convenient 
for our purposes, I determined upon going thither. 
By this time the natives had reached that part 
of the beach where the boat was lying, and 
were wading through the water towards us; 
but, as we had no wish at present to commu- 
nicate with them, for fear that, by refusing any 
thing we had in the boat, for which their impor- 
tunity would perhaps be very great, a quarrel 
might be occasioned, we pulled off into deeper 
