Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 170
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[Page 170]
and I took up our guns and went to look for the Blacks. About 200 yards from the hut we saw a few natives hiding themselves behind some trees. On our near approach they fled, and we pursued them. They ran and joined a mob of about 200 men and women. As night was approaching we returned to our hut without molesting the mob. At day break next morning, it being my turn to tend the sheep, I got up, and taking my gun I proceeded to the pasture ground. About 300 yards from the hut I heard a sort of jabbering talk, and, looking about me, I perceived 200 or more of the natives descending the hill at the back of the hut, 3 or 4, much in advance of the others were moving downwards on their hands and knees. I ran back to the hut and roused McCandless and Forest. We stood outside the hut with our two guns, and the natives remained at a distance shaking their spears at us and making a noise, several hours. At length they threw a great number of spears at us, but not near enough to do us any harm. Finding our guns would not go off we resolved to retreat from the hut, when the natives closed in upon us. We were