of
underwood; and we marked the trees that stood nearest to the different
things which were planted. Nelson followed the circuit of the bay,
planting in such places as appeared most eligible. I have great hopes
that some of these articles will succeed. The particular situations I had
described in my survey of this place, but I was unfortunately prevented
from bringing it home. Near the watering place likewise we planted on a
flat, which appeared a favourable situation, some onions, cabbage-roots,
and potatoes.

For some days past a number of whales were seen in the bay. They were of
the same kind as those we had generally met with before, having two
blow-holes on the back of the head.

September. Monday 1.

On the night of the 1st of September we observed for the first time signs
of the natives being in the neighbourhood. Fires were seen on the low
land near Cape Frederick Henry, and at daylight we saw the natives with
our glasses. As I expected they would come round to us I remained all the
forenoon near the wooding and watering parties, making observations, the
morning being very favourable for that purpose. I was however
disappointed in my conjecture for the natives did not appear, and there
was too great a surf for a boat to land on the part where we had seen
them.

Tuesday 2.

The natives not coming near us, I determined to go after them, and we set
out in a boat towards Cape Frederick Henry, where we arrived about eleven
o'clock. I found landing impracticable and therefore came to a grapnel,
in hopes of their coming to us, for we had passed several fires. After
waiting near an hour I was surprised to see Nelson's assistant come out
of the wood: he had wandered thus far in search of plants and told me
that he had met with some of the natives. Soon after we heard their
voices like the cackling of geese, and twenty persons came out of the
wood, twelve of whom went round to some rocks where the boat could get
nearer to the shore than we then were. Those who remained behind were
women.

We approached within twenty yards of them, but there was no possibility
of landing and I could only throw to the shore, tied up in paper, the
presents which I intended for them. I showed the different articles as I
tied them up, but they would not untie the paper till I made an
appearance of leaving them. They then opened the parcels and, as they
took the articles out, placed them on their heads. On seeing this I
returned towa