COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
241 
in by us, they determined upon seizing these 
implements on every occasion that presented 
itself ; so that it was found necessary to protect 
our working parties in the woods by a guard; 
the result of which was, that the natives threw 
their spears whenever resistance was offered, 
and the guard was obliged to fire upon the 
aggressors. 
“ Open acts of hostility having now been com- 
mitted, and the natives increasing daily in num- 
bers to upwards of one hundred round the set- 
tlement, a good look-out was kept upon them ; 
but not sufficiently to prevent about sixty 
of them surprising five of the marines in a 
swamp cutting rushes, and throwing their spears 
amongst them : their salute was immediately re- 
turned, and they disappeared without any da- 
mage having been done on either side ; at the 
same minute, however, reports of musquetry 
were heard at our watering-place and garden, 
and proved to be in repelling an attack that 
about forty natives had made upon our jolly boat 
watering and two men cutting grass. One of 
the natives was shot dead at ten yards’ distance, 
while in the act of throwing his spear ; and our 
people thought that several others were wounded, 
as they disappeared making most strange noises, 
and have not been near us since. One of the 
VoL. II. R 
