On the 15th a fire being seen on the north shore of the harbour, a party of our people went thither, accompanied by Nanbaree and Abaroo.  They found there Baneelon, and several other natives, and much civility passed, which was cemented by a mutual promise to meet in the afternoon at the same place.  Both sides were punctual to their engagement, and no objection being made to our landing, a party of us went ashore to them unarmed.  Several little presents, which had been purposely brought, were distributed among them; and to Baneelon were given a hatchet and a fish.  At a distance stood some children, who, though at first timorous and unwilling to approach, were soon persuaded to advance, and join the men.

A bottle of wine was produced, and Baneelon immediately prepared for the charge.  Bread and beef he called loudly for, which were given to him, and he began to eat, offering a part of his fare to his countrymen, two of whom tasted the beef, but none of them would touch the bread.  Having finished his repast, he made a motion to be shaved, and a barber being present, his request was complied with, to the great admiration of his countrymen, who laughed and exclaimed at the operation.  They would not, however, consent to undergo it, but suffered their beards to be clipped with a pair of scissors.

On being asked where their women were, they pointed to the spot, but seemed not desirous that we should approach it.  However, in a few minutes, a female appeared not far off, and Abaroo was dispatched to her.  Baneelon now joined with Abaroo to persuade her to come to us, telling us she was Barangaroo, and his wife, notwithstanding he had so lately pretended that she had left him for Colbee.  At length she yielded, and Abaroo, having first put a petticoat on her, brought her to us.  But this was the prudery of the wilderness, which her husband joined us to ridicule, and we soon laughed her out of it.  The petticoat was dropped with hesitation, and Barangaroo stood “armed cap-a-pee in nakedness.”  At the request of Baneelon, we combed and cut her hair, and she seemed pleased with the operation.  Wine she would not taste, but turned from it with disgust, though heartily invited to drink by the example and persuasion of Baneelon.  In short, she behaved so well, and assumed the character of gentleness and timidity to such advantage, that had our acquaintance ended here, a very moderate share of the spirit of travelling would have sufficed to record, that amidst a horde of roaming savages, in the desert wastes of New South Wales, might be found as much feminine innocence, softness, and modesty (allowing for inevitable difference of education), as the most finished system could bestow, or the most polished circle produce.  So little fitted are we to judge of human nature at once!  And yet on such grounds have countries been described, and nations characterized.  Hence have arisen those speculative and laborious compositions on the advantages and superiority of a state of nature.  But to resume my subject.