Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/328

 suRvEY OF TIJB INTER?ROPICAL the verge of the cliff, immediately over the wz. toting-place, and thrown over, was readily veyed to the boats, When our party first mounted the cliff% a throwing stick, a broken spear, and some stones were found, that had evidently been left by the natives' in their hasty retreat when the musquets were fired: the spear was made of the mangrove tree, hardened and made straight by exposing it to fire; and the throwing stick, of hard wood, probably either of ucalyptus, or casuadna; the latter weapon was only two feet in length, and not near so large or long as that used by the natives of Endearour River. After the first day, the natives did not make their appearance; the smoke of their fires was, however, observed over the south point of the island, about two miles off; but, notwith. standing the undisturbed manner in which our occupations advanced, it was found necessary to keep an armed party always ready, for there was no doubt that we were narrowly watched, and the first %uarded moment would have been taken advantage of by them for our annoyance, if not to our loss. This precaution prevented my improving my last year's survey of the coast; and as there did not exist any good reason to attach much importance to the' sinu. osities of the ccst hereabout, we did not remain at this anchorage after o-_r weeding and

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