Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/348

290 The captain in the meanwhile followed the Indians to prevent their burning our linen and the seine which lay upon the grass just where they had gone. He had no musket with him, so soon returned to fetch one, for no threats or signs would make them desist. Mine was ashore, and another loaded with shot, so we ran as fast as possible towards them and came up just in time to save the seine by firing at an Indian who had already fired the grass in two distinct places just to windward of it. On the shot striking him, though he was full forty yards away, he dropped his fire and ran nimbly to his comrades, who all ran off pretty fast.

I had little idea of the fury with which the grass burnt in this hot climate, nor of the difficulty of extinguishing it when once lighted. This accident will, however, be a sufficient warning for us, if ever we should again pitch tents in such a climate, to burn everything around us before we begin.

22nd. One of our people who had been sent out to gather Indian kale, straying from his party, met with three Indians, two men and a boy. He came upon them suddenly as they were sitting among some long grass. At first he was much afraid, and offered them his knife, the only thing he had which he thought might be acceptable to them; they took it, and after handing it from one to another returned it to him. They kept him about half an hour, behaving most civilly to him, only satisfying their curiosity in examining his body, which done, they made him signs that he might go away, which he did, very well pleased. They had hanging on a tree by them, he said, a quarter of the wild animal, and a cockatoo; but how they had been clever enough to take these animals is almost beyond my conception, as both of them are most shy, especially the cockatoos.

23rd. In botanising to-day on the other side of the river we accidentally found the greater part of the clothes which had been given to the Indians left all in a heap together, doubtless as lumber not worth carriage. Maybe