Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/95

 COASTS oF AUSTRALIA. 41 seen peeping over the bushes and rocks which Jsls. concealed them, and attentively watching what was going on. Our friend stood in the posi- lion of, and as motionless as, a soldier at drill, and answered all their interrogatories and in. quiries without making the least movement. He was soon allowed to approach nearer, and then the whole party cautiously advanced, with their spears still poised, and surrounded him. His body was then carefully examined; and upon the women and children being allowed to approach, they seated themselves in a ring and placed him in the middle, when he told his story, which occu- pied about half au hour. Upon its being finished, they all got up, and, after shouting and hallooing to us, they went to the opposite side of the island, leaving our presents upon the beach, after having carefully examined them. Before sunset Mr. Roe and Mr. Cunningham pulled towards the island in the jolly-boat: on its approach the natives came down and appeared anxious for the crew to land; but the shore was too rocky to admit of doing so with security, and air making the natives a few presents, to obtain which they waded up to their arms in the water, the party returned. The natives were much amused with Boongaree's appearance, and fre- q. uently dclrelssed him, but his _nswering them

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