Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/82

62 the favours he had received from one of the beauties of Cape Diemen; but it is difficult to say, how far his story was founded on truth.

13th. On the 24th I made an excursion to the south-east, where I found an opportunity of adding to the observations I had already made respecting the different productions of the country.

14th. The next day every thing was ready for our departure, and we waited only for a fair wind to set sail: but being delayed by a calm, we saw with pleasure, that the savages, who, at our last interview, had promised to come near our anchoring-place within two days, had kept their words. In fact, a little before noon we perceived a fire not far from our watering-place; and there could be no doubt that it was kindled by them, as all our crew were on board. A great number of us immediately repaired in several boats to the place of rendezvous. It was the first time that General Dentrecasteaux had the pleasure of seeing any of the natives. They soon quitted their fire, and proceeded for some time through the paths made in the wood along the shore, in order to come still nearer to us. We went to meet them; and when we were near them they stopped, appearing well pleased at seeing us come ashore. There were five of them. One of them carried a piece of decayed wood in his hand, lighted