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( 23 ) ten yards of them before they were perceived, and the governor had hardly time to make his people halt before numbers appeared in arms: the man who seemed to take the lead, made signs for the English to retire; but seeing the governor approach alone unarmed and in a friendly manner, he gave his spear away, and met him with perfect confidence; and in less than 3 minutes, the English party found themselves surrounded by 212 men; but nothing appeared of treachery in the inhabitants, or taking any advantage of superiority of numbers. The moment the friendship was accepted, they laid down their spears and stone-hatchets, and joined the party in a most amicable manner: numbers of women and children remained at a distance, but were brought down by the men to receive some presents, which were given them. And when they saw that the English were going towards the next cove, one of them, an old man made signs that he might be allowed to go first: he ascended the hill, calling out, holding up his hands, to the natives, that those with him were friends. The Governor saw about 40 men there, and from the parties he had seen in Botany-bay, Port-Jackson, and Broken-bay, the inhabitants could not exceed 1500; and the country inhabited no less than fifty miles from the sea.

“The natives of New Holland seem to have no great aversion to the new settlers;