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led; and probably were acquired in the conflict wherein he had asserted his pretensions to the two ladies。
Nanbaree; all this while; though he continued to interrogate his countrymen; and to interpret on both sides; shewed little desire to return to their society; and stuck very close to his new friends。 On being asked the cause of their present meeting; Baneelon pointed to the whale; which stunk immoderately; and Colbee made signals; that it was common among them to cat until the stomach was so overladen as to occasion sickness。
Their demand of hatchets being re…iterated; notwithstanding our refusal; they were asked why they had not brought with them some of their own? They excused themselves by saying; that on an occasion of the present sort; they always left them at home; and cut up the whale with the shell which is affixed to the end of the throwing…stick。
Our party now thought it time to proceed on their original expedition; and having taken leave of their sable friends; rowed to some distance; where they landed; and set out for Broken Bay; ordering the coxswain of the boat; in which they had come down; to go immediately and acquaint the governor of all that had passed。 When the natives saw that the boat was about to depart; they crowded around her; and brought down; by way of present; three or four great junks of the whale; and put them on board of her; the largest of which; Baneelon expressly requested might be offered; in his name; to the governor。
It happened that his excellency had this day gone to a landmark; which was building on the South…head; near the flag…staff; to serve as a direction to ships at sea; and the boat met him on his return to Sydney。 Immediately on receiving the intelligence; he hastened back to the South…head; and having procured all the fire…arms which could be mustered there; consisting of four muskets and a pistol; set out; attended by Mr。 Collins and Lieutenant Waterhouse of the navy。
When the boat reached Manly Cove; the natives were found still busily employed around the whale。 As they expressed not any consternation on seeing us row to the beach; governor Phillip stepped out unarmed; and attended by one seaman only; and called for Baneelon; who appeared; but; notwithstanding his former eagerness; would not suffer the other to approach him for several minutes。 Gradually; however; he warmed into friendship and frankness; and presently after Colbee came up。 They discoursed for some time; Baneelon expressing pleasure to see his old acquaintance; and inquiring by name for every person whom he could recollect at Sydney; and among others for a French cook; one of the governor's servants; whom he had constantly made the butt of his ridicule; by mimicking his voice; gait; and other peculiarities; all of which he again went through with his wonted exactness and drollery。 He asked also particularly for a lady from whom he had once ventured to snatch a kiss; and on being told that she was well; by way of proving that the token was fresh in his remembrance; he kissed Lieutenant Waterhouse; and laughed aloud。 On his wounds being noticed; he coldly said; that he had received them at Botany Bay; but went no farther into their history。
Hatchets still continued to be called for with redoubled eagerness; which rather surprised us; as formerly they had always been accepted with indifference。 But Baneelon had probably demonstrated to them their superiority over those of their own manufacturing。 To appease their importunity; the governor gave them a knife; some bread; pork; and other articles; and promised that in two days he would return hither; and bring with him hatchets to be distributed among them; which appeared to diffuse general satisfaction。
Baneelon's love of wine has been mentioned; and the governor; to try whether it still subsisted; uncorked a bottle; and poured out a glass of it; which the other drank off with his former marks of relish and good humour; giving for a toast; as he had been taught; 〃The King。〃
Our party now advanced from the beach but; perceiving many of the Indians filing off to the right and left; so as in some measure to surround them; they retreated gently to their old situation; which produced neither alarm or offence。 The others by degrees also resumed their former position。 A very fine barbed spear of uncommon size being seen by the governor; he asked for it。 But Baneelon; instead of complying with the request; took it away; and laid it at some distance; and brought back a throwing…stick; which he presented to his excellency。
Matters had proceeded in this friendly train for more than half an hour; when a native; with a spear in his hand; came forward; and stopped at the distance of between twenty and thirty yards from the place where the governor; Mr。 Collins; Lieutenant Waterhouse; and a seaman stood。 His excellency held out his hand; and called to him; advancing towards him at the same time; Mr。 Collins following close behind。 He appeared to be a man of middle age; short of stature; sturdy; and well set; seemingly a stranger; and but little acquainted with Baneelon and Colbee。 The nearer the governor approached; the greater became the terror and agitation of the Indian。 To remove his fear; governor Phillip threw down a dirk; which he wore at his side。 The other; alarmed at the rattle of the dirk; and probably misconstruing the action; instantly fixed his lance in his throwing…stick*。
'*Such preparation is equal to what cocking a gun; and directing it at its object; would be with us。 To launch the spear; or to touch the trigger; only remains。'
To retreat; his excellency now thought would be more dangerous than to advance。 He therefore cried out to the man; Weeeree; Weeree; (bad; you are doing wrong) displaying at the same time; every token of amity and confidence。 The words had; however; hardly gone forth; when the Indian; stepping back with one foot; aimed his lance with such force and dexterity; that striking* the governor's right shoulder; just above the collar…bone; the point glancing downward; came out at his back; having made a wound of many inches long。 The man was observed to keep his eye steadily fixed on the lance until it struck its object; when he directly dashed into the woods and was seen no more。
'*His excellency described the shock to me as similar to a violent blow; with such energy was the weapon thrown。'
Instant confusion on both sides took place。 Baneelon and Colbee disappeared and several spears were thrown from different quarters; though without effect。 Our party retreated as fast as they could; calling to those who were left in the boat; to hasten up with firearms。 A situation more distressing than that of the governor; during the time that this lasted; cannot readily be conceived: the pole of the spear; not less than ten feet in length; sticking out before him; and impeding his flight; the butt frequently striking the ground; and lacerating the wound。 In vain did Mr。 Waterhouse try to break it; and the barb; which appeared on the other side; forbade extraction; until that could be performed。 At length it was broken; and his excellency reached the boat; by which time the seamen with the muskets ha