286 THE NATIVES 1788 fire, and gbingwith two of the officers to a cave at some distance, 15 Hay. the old man made use of every means in his power to make them go in with him, but which thej declined, and this was rather un- fortunate, for it rained hard, and the cave was the next day found to be sufficiently large to have contained us all, and which he cer- Obiiging old tainly took great pains to make them understand* When this old man saw us prepare for sleeping on the ground, and clearing away the bushes, he assisted, and was the next morning rewarded for his friendly behaviour. Here we saw a woman big with child that had not lost the joints of the little finger. When we returned two days afterwards to the sjiot where the old man had been so friendly, he met us with a dance and a song of joy. His son was with him. A hatchet and several presents were made to them; and as I intended to return to Port Jack- son the next day, every possible means were taken to secure his stole a friendship ; but when it was dark he stole a spade, and was caught in the act. I thought it necessary to show that I was displeased with him, and therefore when he came to me, pu^ed him away and gave him two or three slaps on the shoulder with the open Puniahmeiit hand, at the same time pointing to the spade. This destroyed an revenge. ^^^ friendship in a moment, and seizing a spear, he came close up to me, poised it^ and appeared determined to strike; but whether Cooinefls from seeing that his threats were not regarded, for X chose rather to risk the spear than fire on him, or from anything the other natives said who surrounded him, after a few moments be drop- ped his spear and left u& This circumstance is mentioned to show that they do not want personal courage, for several officers and men were then near me. He returned the next morning with several others, and seemed desirous of being taken notice of, but he was neglected, whilst hatchets and several other articles were given to the others. Ornaments. The men hang in their hair the teeth of dogs and other animals, lobsters' claws, and several small bones which they secure by gum. Food. but I never saw the women do this. Their food is chiefly fish — ^the shark, I believe, they never eat-^the fern root, wild fig, and the kernels of a large fruit, that is not unlike a pine*apple, but which when eaten by the French seamen occasioned violent retchings. Fishing Their hooks are made from shells, and their lines and nets, I believe, from the flax plant ; but I have some that were made from the fur of some animal, and others that appeared to be made o£ Digitized by VjOOQIC
