i-7&8. branch of Broken Bay which we had feen the evening
,-f— before ; and were led to it by a path not very much
frequented. At the head of this branch we found a freflr
water river, which took its rife a little" above, out of a
fwamp. Such is the origin and fource of every .river
we have yet dilcovered in this country; though few, when
- compared to thole in any other /part* of the world. It is
very extraordinary that in all this, extenfive trail, a living
Ipring has not yet been: explored. On this river we faw
many ducks and teal.: Mr. Creffwell flhot one of the latter,
and I Ihot one of the former. They were both' Well tailed,
and good of their kind. At the head of this branch we
found the country rough and impafiable. Having followed
the courfe of the river to its origin, we that day returned
to Manly Cove, where we furprifed two old men, an old
woman, a grown-up girl, and thirteen'children, in a hut.
When the children faw us approach, they - all gathered
themfelves clofely together around : the g ir l; they . cried,
and feemed much terrified. The old men ftiowed fueh
diflike to our looking at them, that the governor and the
reft of the party withdrew to fome little diftance to dine.
Some of the children, on feeing all the party gone: but
myfelf
myfelf and another gentleman, began to?laugh, and thus
proved that their fears had vanifiied. When we joined the
.' reft o f the party,' the old man followed.us in a very friendly
-manner, and took part o£tevery kind of provifion we had,
but he j ate none of it in our fight. The women anti
children flood at fome difiance, and beckoned*, to us when,
the men? of whom they feemed to ftand in very great
dread, had turned their backs.::
As>|foon :as we had. dined, :and refrefhed ourfelves, the
governor, by himfelf, went down to them,, and diftributed
fome < pre’iehtlw'%mong them, which ' foorn" gained , their
friendfliip and confidence. By this time fixteeh canoes,
that were i$dt fifliing, came clofe to the' fpot ■ where we
were, and there lay on their paddles,* which they managed
with wonderful dexterity and addrefs.; * mimicking us, and
indulging in their own merriment. After many figns and
entreaties, one of the women ventured .to- the”:governor,
who Was by himfelf, and with ieemirigly great timidity,
took from him fome fmall fifiling lines and hooks; articles
which they hold in great efiimation. This made , her
lefs fearful;. and in a little time ihe Became perfe&ly free
and unrefirained. Her conduct influenced many others,
D d 2 who