Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 1.djvu/99

 COASTS OF Aus'rRLDL 45 descried on an adjoining island, and as our ss. principal object was to eommunieate with these Feb.7. people, we immediately roimbarked and sailed towards it. On approaching the island, we over- took two natives on their logs, who,'on perceiving that we were pulling towards them, became fright- ened, and made violent gestures as if imploring us to go away. Four or five unarmed natives were standing on the shore of the island, and watched our proceedings; and, upon our sheering off and pulling away from the natives upon the logs to- wards a sandy beach, the party on the shore wlked a few steps towards it also, and invited us by signs to go ashore. Upon the boat's touching the beach, I landed, and taking Boon- garee with me divested of his dothes, walked towards the natives, who were standing together, a little in the rear of one, who was probably their chief. The whole party were trembling with fear, and appeared quite palsied as we ap- proached and took the chief by the hand. A little eoaing, and the investiture of a red cap upon the Chief's head, gradually repossessed them of their senses, and we were soon gabbling each in our own language, and therefore mutually un- intelligible. In a short time I obtained permission, which

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