Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/258

210 of the natives appeared to us very suspicious. About nine in the morning they took possession of our shallop which was anchored near the coast, and only guarded by one man. They were already dragging it towards the strand, in order to carry off the effects that were in it with the greater ease, when another boat's crew came to its relief; but the thieves did not give up their enterprise till they were on the point of being fired upon.

Lasseny having gone on shore to make some astronomical observations, was obliged to re-embark almost immediately, being unable to keep off a number of savages who seemed inclined to attempt the seizure of the instruments, although he was armed and accompanied by two assistants, besides several of the boat's crew.

The master gunner of the Esperance, while hunting in the forest, perceived about noon, in a large open space not far from the wood-cutters, above two hundred natives, who were practising themselves in throwing their darts, and different exercises. He retired unperceived, and hastened to relate to us what he had just witnessed. One of the officers of our vessel immediately went with four fusileers to observe the motions of the savages; who, on perceiving them, advanced, and obliged them to make a precipitate retreat to-