Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/49

] This party of savages consisted of two and forty, seven of whom were men, eight women: the rest appeared to be their children; and among these we observed several marriageable girls, still less clothed than most of the mothers. We invited them all to come and sit near our fire; and when they arrived there, one of the savages informed us by unequivocal signs, that he had come to reconnoitre us during the night. That we might understand he had seen us asleep, he inclined his head on one side, laying it on the palm of his right hand, and closing his eyes; and with the other he pointed out the spot, where we had passed the night. He then acquainted us, by signs equally expressive, that he was at the time on the other side of the brook, whence he observed us. In fact, one of us had been awakened about the middle of the night by a rustling among the branches, and had even fancied, that he heard some broken off: but, being greatly fatigued, he had soon fallen asleep again, persuaded it was a kangarou, that had come to visit us. Our fire had been a guide to this native, whom the party had sent to reconnoitre us: while we had slept with the utmost tranquillity, notwithstanding we had been at the mercy of these savages the whole night. One of the men that accompanied us, then said, that in the evening, at sun- set,