On my return, I found that as Mr Cooper did not land when the natives expected him, they had retired into the woods, but two others now appeared on the opposite bank.  I endeavoured to have an interview with them, but this I could not effect.  For as I approached the shore, they always retired farther into the woods, which were so thick as to cover them from our sight.  The falling tide obliged me to retire out of the river to the place where we had spent the night.  There we breakfasted, and afterwards embarked, in order to return on board; but, just as we were going, we saw two men on the opposite shore, hallooing to us, which induced me to row over to them.  I landed with two others, unarmed; the two natives standing about 100 yards from the water-side, with each a spear in his hand.  When we three advanced, they retired; but stood when I advanced alone.

It was some little time before I could prevail upon them to lay down their spears.  This, at last, one of them did; and met me with a grass plant in his hand, one end of which he gave me to hold, while he held the other.  Standing in this manner, he began a speech, not one word of which I understood, and made some long pauses, waiting, as I thought, for me to answer; for, when I spoke, he proceeded.  As soon as this ceremony was over, which was not long, we saluted each other.  He then took his hahou, or coat, from off his own back, and put it upon mine; after which peace seemed firmly established.  More people joining us did not in the least alarm them; on the contrary, they saluted every one as he came up.

I gave to each a hatchet and a knife, having nothing else with me:  Perhaps these were the most valuable things I could give them, at least they were the most useful.  They wanted us to go to their habitation, telling us they would give us something to eat; and I was sorry that the tide and other circumstances would not permit me to accept of their invitation.  More people were seen in the skirts of the wood, but none of them joined us:  Probably these were their wives and children.  When we took leave they followed us to our boat; and, seeing the musquets lying across the stern, they made signs for them to be taken away, which being done, they came alongside, and assisted us to launch her.  At this time it was necessary for us to look well after them, for they wanted to take away every thing they could lay their hands upon, except the muskets.  These they took care not to touch, being taught, by the slaughter they had seen us make among the wild-fowl, to look upon them as instruments of death.

We saw no canoes or other boats with them, two or three logs of wood tied together served the same purpose, and were indeed sufficient for the navigation of the river, on the banks of which they lived.  There fish and fowl were in such plenty, that they had no occasion to go far for food; and they have but few neighbours to disturb them.  The whole number at this place, I believe, does not exceed three families.