Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/469

 COAST8 OF AUSTRALIA. yards wide, and so soft as to prevent landing, ira0. Whilst he was employed at the summi of tho 8*!*t. l& hill in taking bearings, twelve natives with two dogs made their appearance on the opposite shore, which was separated from the hill on which Mr. Roe landed by a soft mud fiat. The natives ttttempted to cross to him, shouting loudly a they advanced, but when half way over they desisted and slowly returned. When Mr. Roe descended,. he perceived several fresh prints of the human foot on the mud, from which he sup- posed that there were already some natives upon the island. There were several large fires buming in various directions, and one was kindled by the natives on the opposite bank*. A snake about seven feet long was the only animal our pa/ty saw, but the dung* of the kan. garoo was as usual plentiihlly spread in all directions. From this station, which was seven miles from the mouth they followed the course of the river, /Irst on an easterly direction for ten miles, and then it took & sudden turn to the southward and �* 'rim natives of this part were seen by Tasman, aeeotdln to tim followin nob of Burro-master Witch, as imbllahed in Mr, DaL'jmple's Patiron, "In 14 �' S., longitude 188' (about 19 E.) the people are savage, and go naked: !tone can understand then*'*

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