tapping me on the shoulders to show their delight at my not having deceived them; and, of course, at the arrival of the expected presents. No doubt, their guilty consciences touched them up a little; for, remembering and referring to their murderous designs, they asked me if I thought it would be safe for them to remain, or more advisable to run away into the bush? I told them to stay where they were, as they had done no wrong, but had they done so, it would have been a very different matter; for in that case, they would, to a certainty, all have been shot or hanged.
The vessel—her name I do not recollect—kept standing up the bay until she touched upon a sand-bank, about three miles off, when Mr. Batman and Mr. Wedge, who were on board, left her in a boat; and, in order to prepare for their landing in safety, I went up to the native camp, and addressed the tribes as to the conduct they should pursue. The gentlemen I have named, on coming up to where we were—whites and blacks—appeared to be very much astonished at seeing me, and at my height, as I rose at their approach. There was a person named Gunn, who had been left in charge of the party during their absence, and he soon explained who I was, and other matters. Mr. Batman asked me many questions, and I told him I arrived in a ship, the name of which I had forgotten; and, as I thought, about twenty years before—but that I could only guess, having lost all recollection of time? He then asked me if I would remain altogether with his party, and what presents it would be most advisable to
