A rising ground at the distance of a cable’s length from the south head was chosen, and the stone necessary for the base of the column being already cut, that work was immediately begun, and the party were returning to Sydney, when the governor was informed by some officers, who had landed in Manly-Bay, and who were going on a shooting excursion, that they had seen -Bannelong_, a native who had ran away from the settlement, and who had enquired after all his friends, and received several presents.  It seems Bannelong, and Colebe, another native who had escaped from the settlement, with near two hundred others, were assembled in Manly-Bay to feast on a dead whale which was lying on the beach.  Bannelong sent a large piece of it to the governor, as a present, which the sailors had in the boat:  he was very glad to see those he knew of the party, particularly a native boy named Nanbarre, but seemed afraid of being retaken, and would not permit any one to come so near as to lay their hands on him.

As Governor Phillip had always been desirous of meeting with this man, and had sought an opportunity from the day he left his house, he returned to the look-out, and collecting every little thing which was likely to please him, went to the spot where he had been seen.  Several natives appeared on the beach as the governor’s boat rowed into the bay, but on its nearer approach, they retired amongst the trees.

It had ever been the governor’s opinion, and what he had observed of these people confirmed it, that the best means of obtaining the confidence of a native was by example, and by placing confidence in him; with this purpose, he left the judge-advocate and Lieutenant Water-house, who had accompanied him in the boat, and landed himself, followed only by a seaman who had some beef and bread, with a few other articles which he was desirous of giving to such of the natives as might join him:  after calling repeatedly on his old acquaintance by all his names, he was answered by a native who appeared with several others at a distance, and as he increased his distance from the boat, the native approached nearer, and took a number of little presents, on their being laid down at the distance of a few paces; but he would not come near the governor, although in answer to the question—­“where was Banne-long?” he repeatedly said he was the man; this, however, could not be believed, as he was so much altered:  at length a bottle was held up, and on his being asked, what it was in his own language, he answered, “the King;” for as he had always heard his Majesty’s health drank in the first glass after dinner at the governor’s table, and had been made to repeat the word before the drank his own glass of wine, he supposed the liquor was named “the King;” and though he afterwards knew it was called wine, yet he would frequently call it King.