On the whole, this exhibition was well worth seeing; and this was the first opportunity that had offered for us to see any thing of the kind, since we had been in the country.  Their music consisted of two sticks of very hard wood, one of which the musician held upon his breast, in the manner of a violin, and struck it with the other, in good and regular time; the performer, who was a stout strong voiced man, sung the whole time, and frequently applied those graces in music, the piano and forte; he was assisted by several young boys and girls, who sat at his feet, and by their manner of crossing the thighs, made a hollow between them and their belly, upon which they beat time with the flat of their hand, so as to make a kind of sound which will be better understood from the manner of its being produced, than from any verbal description:  these children also sung with the chief musical performer, who stood up the whole time, and seemed to me to have the most laborious part of the performance.

They very frequently, at the conclusion of the dance, would apply to us for our opinions, or rather for marks of our approbation of their performance; which we never failed to give by often repeating the word boojery, which signifies good; or boojery caribberie, a good dance.  These signs of pleasure in us seemed to give them great satisfaction, and generally produced more than ordinary exertions from the whole company of performers in the next dance.

Chapter IX

A VOYAGE TO BATAVIA

March 1791 to September 1791

-Captain Hunter leaves Port Jackson in the Waaksamheyd transport.—­In danger amongst some islands.—­Isle of Pines described.—­Stewart’s islands discovered.—­Fall in with Bradley’s shoals.—­Discover a cluster of islands.—­Name them Lord Howe’s Groupe.—­The natives described.—­Attempt to find anchorage on the coast of New-Britain.—­Are disappointed.—­Anchor at the Duke of York’s island.—­Attempt to procure water.—­Are attacked by the natives.—­A few shots fired.—­The natives dispersed.—­A reconciliation effected.—­Natives described.—­Weapons.—­Ornaments, etc.—­Produce and soil.—­Leave the Duke of York’s island.—­Natives from the Admiralty islands visit the ship.—­Their canoes described.—­Phillip’s islands discovered.—­Anchor at Hummock island.—­Refreshments procured.—­Visited by the Raja.—­A quarrel ensues.—­Several of the natives killed.—­Articles of barter in request.—­Canoes described.—­Leave Hummock island.—­Anchor at Batavia.—­Tables of latitude and longitude, etc.-

On the 27th of March, 1791, every thing being embarked, we left Sydney-cove, in the Waaksamheyd transport, and sailed down the harbour; when we were accompanied by the governor, and most of the civil and military officers in the settlement.  When we passed the lower point of the Cove, all the marines and the New South Wales corps, who were off duty, came down and cheered our people, by way of taking leave, and wishing us a good passage.