Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/231

 COAS OF aUSTaALL. 169 one mile in diameter, covered with reeds and other indications of its being a morass or lagoon. We then pursued our way up the' river; it soon trended sharply round to the 5.E., and joined the main stream, which we had unknow- ingly left the preceding evening. There we had to _o!oad and drag the boat over a fall; but, as the ascent was not more than ten or twelve inches, no difficulty was experienced in effecting it. Whilst thus employed, we were visited by ten natives, some of whom, by being painted-and ornamented in a remarkable manner, were recog- nised as those who followed us last evening: their timidity was at first very great, but our con- duct gave them confidence, and they'very soon came to the boat, and assisted in launching her into deeper water, for which service they were presented with fishing hooks and lines, which they gladly received. Every thing we said or did was repeated by them with the most exact imitation; and indeed they appeared to think they could not please us better than by mimicking every motion that we made. Some biscuit was given them, which they pretended to eat, but on our looking aside were observed to spit it out. They wished much to take us to their huts; but, the day being much advanced, without our

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