Page:Narrative of a survey of the intertropical and western coasts of Australia, Volume 2.djvu/41

 4 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAl, got clear off;, although one of them by his llmp. ing appeared to have been struck in the leg. After this we saw nothing more of them for the day. Mr. Bedwell was employed with his party at the wreck, whilst Mr. Cunningham traversed the hills in the vicinity, for it was not sfe to trust hime, lf at any distance from our people, since the natives would not have failed, had they met with an opportunity, to punish us for our broken faith. The following day, on the return of our people from the wreck, they reported that the natives had shewn themselves on the opposite side of the bay; I therefore went to the shore with Mr. Harrison, to endearour to make peace, but saw no signs of them, excepting a smoke on the next island, to which they had probably retired. On the following day they were again seen, and fired upon by the bdt's crew of the Dick. All these events gave me much concern, not only because the natives may. be induced to attack and take revenge upon strangers who may sub- 'sequently pass this way, but also because they must have imbibed a very poor idea of the effect of our arms, when so many muskets were. fired without doing them any mischief: and, but for the sake of humanity, I could almost have wished /hat one had been killed..

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