COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
129 
they put on the bars of the fire-place, but, being 1821. 
too impatient to wait until they were baked, ate Dec. 25 , 
them in a doughy state with much relish. 
Three new faces appeared on the east side, 
who were brought on board after breakfast, and 
permitted to remain until dinner-time: one of 
them, an old man, was very attentive to the sail- 
maker’s cutting out a boat’s sail, and at his re- 
quest was presented with all the strips that 
^ere of no use. When it was completed, a 
small piece of canvass was missing, upon which 
the old man, being suspected of having secreted 
it, was slightly examined, but nothing was found 
upon him ; after this, while the people were look- 
ing about the deck, the old rogue assisted in the 
search, and appeared quite anxious to find it ; he, 
however, very soon walked away towards another 
part of the deck, and interested himself in other 
things. This conduct appeared so suspicious, 
that I sent the sail-maker to examine the old 
man more closely, when the lost piece was found 
concealed under his left arm, which was covered 
by the cloak he wore of kangaroo- skin. This 
circumstance afforded me a good opportunity of 
shewing them our displeasure at so flagrant a 
breach of the confidence we had reposed in 
them; I therefore went up to him, and, as- 
suming as ferocious a look as I could, shook 
VoL. II. K 
