The cry of "treachery" immediately arose from some of our party, who supposed that they had either led us into a convenient place, where they could spear us with facility, or, had gone for more assistance, to cut off our return.
But these were false alarms. Their conduct, which, at the moment, surprised us, might very easily be accounted for, without suspecting any hostility or masked treachery towards us. We had come upon them unawares, and our interview had been friendly,—we asked them to show us water, which request they complied with again and again; until, being tired out, with walking so fast, and so far, they contrived this mode of making their escape, as our desire for muga, I dare say, appeared to them, unquenchable.
We then retraced our steps in a direct line to the principal stream[1], which we were enabled to do, by having had an eye, either on the compass or on the sun, while going along with the natives.
It being now some time after noon, we agreed to halt a little, and take our repast, which we did with much pleasure, sitting on the bank, with our feet in the cool, limpid, rapid stream.
It was now proposed, that we should proceed another day on discovery, directly east, to endeavour to see what kind of country there was to the eastward of the mountains; but this proposal, not being relished by the majority, was, after some discussion, abandoned.
- ↑ The source of the Helena, a considerable stream tributary to the Swan.
