Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/126

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LIFE OF BUCKLEY.
103

turned into a stone, or rock, at a place where a figure was found resembling a man, and exceedingly well executed; probably the figure-head of some unfortunate ship.

One day when I was at Bangibarra, some distance in the interior, I saw some natives coming along, one of them carrying a flag over his shoulders. On anxious enquiry, I was told by them that they had seen a vessel laying at anchor in Port Phillip Bay, and near Indented Heads; watching her for several days, they observed her remove to another anchorage, soon after which, a boat was hoisted out and all hands left her, proceeding up the river. After watching several hours to see the coast clear, three of them swam alongside, and hoisted themselves on board, one, one way, and another, another. The first object that attracted their attention was the colours; these they soon hauled down: then they purloined rope, sails, and other things they thought would prove serviceable—such as glass bottles to bark and sharpen their spears with. There were many other articles they took, but fortunately they were afraid to go down into the cabin, and so considerable property was saved from plunder. Having completed their marauding excursion, they carried what they had to land, and far back into the bush. When the crew returned and saw the mischief done during their absence, they fired off their pieces, but they were at too great a distance to do any injury to the natives. Thinking it advisable, they soon got the anchor up again, moving farther out into the bay.