James Cook - A Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour on a voyage round the world, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, commencing the 25th of May 1768 - 23 Oct. 1770: No. 252

New Wales or East Coast of New Holland

tives with some sort of Blunt instrument of several Trees that were [barqued?], the bark of which had been cut by the same instrument in many of these Trees especially the Palms, were cut steps of about 3 or 4 feet as under for the Convenience of Climbing them, we found 2 sorts of Gum ones out of which is like Gum Dragoon &  is the same I suppose Tasman took for Gum [indec.Lae?] it is extracted from the largest tree in the woods.
Wednesday Between 3 & 4 in the PM we return'd out of the Country & after Dinner went ashore to the watering Place where we had not been long before 17 or 18 of the Natives appeared in sight on the Morn I had sent Mr Gore wth a boat up to the head of the Bay to dredge for Oysters, in his return to the Ship he &  another Person came by land & on it with these People who followed him at a distance of 10 or 20 Years, whenever Mr Gore made a stand &  faced them they stood also &  notwithstanding they were all arm'd they never offer'd to Attack him, but after he had parted from them & they were met by Dr Munkhouse & one or 2 more who upon making a Sham retreat they throw'd 3 darts after them, after which they began to retire. Dr Solander, I and Tupia made all the haste we could after them but could not either by words or actions prevail upon them to come near us. Mr Gore saw some up the Bay who by signs invited him ashore which he prudently declined. In the Am had the wind at SE with rain which prevented me from making an Excursion up to the head of the bay as I intended.
Thursday 3rd. Winds at E. a Gentle breeze of fair wear  in the PM I made a little excursion along the Sea Coast to the Southw. accompanied by Mr Banks & Dr Solander at our first entering the woods we saw 3 of the Natives who made off as soon as they faw [saw] us more of them were seen by others of our people who likewise made off as soon as they found they were discover'd. In the AM I went in the Pinnace to the head of the bay accompanied by Dr Solander & Munkhouse in order to Examine the Country & to try to form some Connections with the Natives, in our way thither we met with 10 or 12 of them fishing in a Small Canoe who retir'd into Shoal water upon our approach, others again we saw at the first place we landed at who took to their Canoes & fled before we came near them, after this we took Water &  went almost to the head of the inlet were [sic] we landed & travel'd some distance in land, we found the face of the Country much the same as I have before described, but the land much richer for instead of Sand I found in many places a deep black Soil which we thought was Capable