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early australian voyages-第35章

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appearance of anchoring。  I stood off again; designing; if possible; to ply to and fro in this bay till I found a conveniency to wood and water。  We saw no more plantations nor cocoa…nut trees; yet in the night we discerned a small fire right against us。  The next morning we saw a burning mountain in the country。  It was round; high; and peaked at top; as most volcanoes are; and sent forth a great quantity of smoke。  We took up a log of driftwood; and split it for firing; in which we found some small fish。

The day after we passed by the south…west cape of this bay; leaving it to the north of us。  When we were abreast of it I called my officers together; and named it Cape Orford; in honour of my noble patron; drinking his Lordship's health。  This cape bears from Cape St。 George south…west about eighteen leagues。  Between them there is a bay about twenty…five leagues deep; having pretty high land all round it; especially near the capes; though they themselves are not high。  Cape Orford lies in the latitude of 5 degrees 24 minutes south; by my observation; and meridian distance from Cape St。 George; forty…four miles west。  The land trends from this cape north…west by west into the bay; and on the other side south…west per compass; which is south…west 9 degrees west; allowing the variation; which is here 9 degrees east。  The land on each side of the cape is more savannah than woodland; and is highest on the north…west side。  The cape itself is a bluff…point; of an indifferent height; with a flat tableland at top。  When we were to the south…west of the cape; it appeared to be a low point shooting out; which you cannot see when abreast of it。  This morning we struck a log of driftwood with our turtle…irons; hoisted it in; and split it for firewood。  Afterwards we struck another; but could not get it in。  There were many fish about it。

We steered along south…west as the land lies; keeping about six leagues off the shore; and; being desirous to cut wood and fill water; if I saw any conveniency; I lay by in the night; because I would not miss any place proper for those ends; for fear of wanting such necessaries as we could not live without。  This coast is high and mountainous; and not so thick with trees as that on the other side of Cape Orford。

On the 14th; seeing a pretty deep bay ahead; and some islands where I thought we might ride secure; we ran in towards the shore and saw some smoke。  At ten o'clock we saw a point which shot out pretty well into the sea; with a bay within it; which promised fair for water; and we stood in with a moderate gale。  Being got into the bay within the point; we saw many cocoa…nut…trees; plantations; and houses。  When I came within four or five miles of the shore; six small boats came off to view us; with about forty men in them all。 Perceiving that they only came to view us; and would not come aboard; I made signs and waved to them to go ashore; but they did not or would not understand me; therefore I whistled a shot over their heads out of my fowling…piece; and then they pulled away for the shore as hard as they could。  These were no sooner ashore; than we saw three boats coming from the islands to leeward of us; and they soon came within call; for we lay becalmed。  One of the boats had about forty men in her; and was a large; well…built boat; the other two were but small。  Not long after; I saw another boat coming out of the bay where I intended to go; she likewise was a large boat; with a high head and stern painted; and full of men。  This I thought came off to fight us; as it is probable they all did; therefore I fired another small shot over the great boat that was nigh us; which made them leave their babbling and take to their paddles。  We still lay becalmed; and therefore they; rowing wide of us; directed their course towards the other great boat that was coming off。  When they were pretty near each other I caused the gunner to fire a gun between them; which he did very dexterously; it was loaded with round and partridge shot; the last dropped in the water somewhat short of them; but the round shot went between both boats; and grazed about one hundred yards beyond them。  This so affrighted them that they both rowed away for the shore as fast as they could; without coming near each other; and the little boats made the best of their way after them。  And now; having a gentle breeze at south…south…east; we bore into the bay after them。  When we came by the point; I saw a great number of men peeping from under the rocks:  I ordered a shot to be fired close by; to scare them。 The shot grazed between us and the point; and; mounting again; flew over the point; and grazed a second time just by them。  We were obliged to sail along close by the bays; and; seeing multitudes sitting under the trees; I ordered a third gun to be fired among the cocoa…nut…trees to scare them; for my business being to wood and water; I thought it necessary to strike some terror into the inhabitants; who were very numerous; and (by what I saw now; and had formerly experienced) treacherous。  After this I sent my boat to sound; they had first forty; then thirty; and at last twenty fathom water。  We followed the boat; and came to anchor about a quarter of a mile from the shore; in twenty…six fathom water; fine black sand and ooze。  We rode right against the mouth of a small river; where I hoped to find fresh water。  Some of the natives standing on a small point at the river's mouth; I sent a small shot over their heads to frighten them; which it did effectually。  In the afternoon I sent my boat ashore to the natives who stood upon the point by the river's mouth with a present of cocoa…nuts; when the boat was come near the shore; they came running into the water; and put their nuts into the boat。  Then I made a signal for the boat to come aboard; and sent both it and the yawl into the river to look for fresh water; ordering the pinnace to lie near the river's mouth; while the yawl went up to search。  In an hour's time they returned aboard with some barrecoes full fresh of water; which they had taken up about half a mile up the river。  After which I sent them again with casks; ordering one of them to fill water; and the other to watch the motions of the natives; lest they should make any opposition。  But they did not; and so the boats returned a little before sunset with a tun and a half of water; and the next day by noon brought aboard about six tuns of water。

I sent ashore commodities to purchase hogs; &c。 being informed that the natives have plenty of them; as also of yams and other good roots; but my men returned without getting anything that I sent them for; the natives being unwilling to trade with us。  Yet they admired our hatchets and axes; but would part with nothing but cocoa…nuts; which they used to climb the trees for; and so soon as they gave them our men; they beckoned to them to be gone; for they were much afraid of us。

The 18th I sent both boats again for water; and before noon they had filled all my casks。  In the afternoon I sent them both to cut wood; but seeing about forty natives standing on the bay at a small distance from our men; I made a signal for them to come aboard again; which they did; and brou
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