others simply pointed. In repairing them
they are no less dexterous than in throwing them. A broken one
being given by a gentleman to an Indian, he instantly snatched up an
oyster-shell, and converted it with his teeth into a tool with which
he presently fashioned the spear, and rendered it fit for use: in
performing this operation, the sole of his foot served him as a
work-board. Nor are their weapons of offence confined to the spear only,
for they have besides long wooden swords, shaped like a sabre, capable
of inflicting a mortal wound, and clubs of an immense size. Small
targets, made of the bark of trees, are likewise now and then to be seen
among them.

From circumstances which have been observed, we have sometimes been
inclined to believe these people at war with each other. They have more
than once been seen assembled, as if bent on an expedition. An officer
one day met fourteen of them marching along in a regular Indian file
through the woods, each man armed with a spear in his right hand, and
a large stone in his left: at their head appeared a chief, who was
distinguished by being painted. Though in the proportion of five to one
of our people they passed peaceably on.

That their skill in throwing the spear sometimes enables them to kill
the kangaroo we have no right to doubt, as a long splinter of this
weapon was taken out of the thigh of one of these animals, over which
the flesh had completely closed; but we have never discovered that they
have any method of ensnaring them, or that they know any other beasts
but the kangaroo and dog. Whatever animal is shewn them, a dog excepted,
they call kangaroo: a strong presumption that the wild animals of the
country are very few.

Soon after our arrival at Port Jackson, I was walking out near a place
where I observed a party of Indians, busily employed in looking at some
sheep in an inclosure, and repeatedly crying out, 'kangaroo, kangaroo!'
As this seemed to afford them pleasure, I was willing to increase it by
pointing out the horses and cows, which were at no great distance. But
unluckily, at the moment, some female convicts, employed near the place,
made their appearance, and all my endeavours to divert their attention
from the ladies became fruitless. They attempted not, however, to offer
them the least degree of violence or injury, but stood at the distance
of several paces, expressing very significantly the manner they were
attracted.

It would be trespa