COASTS OF Aus'rR?LDL 45 descried on an adjoining island, and as our ?s?s. principal object was to eommunieate with these Feb.?7. people, we immediately roimbarked and sailed towards it. On approaching the island, we over- took two natives on their logs, who,'on perceiving that we were pulling towards them, became fright- ened, and made violent gestures as if imploring us to go away. Four or five unarmed natives were standing on the shore of the island, and watched our proceedings; and, upon our sheering off and pulling away from the natives upon the logs to- wards a sandy beach, the party on the shore w?lked a few steps towards it also, and invited us by signs to go ashore. Upon the boat's touching the beach, I landed, and taking Boon- garee with me divested of his dothes, walked towards the natives, who were standing together, a little in the rear of one, who was probably their chief. The whole party were trembling with fear, and appeared quite palsied as we ap- proached and took the chief by the hand. A little eoa?ing, and the investiture of a red cap upon the Chief's head, gradually repossessed them of their senses, and we were soon gabbling each in our own language, and therefore mutually un- intelligible. In a short time I obtained permission, which
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