This, their first act of positive hostility, affords, I think,
conclusive evidence of the savage disposition of the natives of
this part of the Louisiade Archipelago when incited by the hope
of plunder, and shews that no confidence should ever be reposed
in them, unless, perhaps in the presence of a numerically
superior force, or in the close vicinity of a ship. At the same
time, the boldness of these savages in attacking, with thirty men
in three canoes, two boats known to contain at least twenty
persons--even in the hopes of taking them by surprise--and in not
being at once driven off upon feeling the novel and deadly
effects of firearms, shews no little amount of bravery."
On their last visit to Cape York, in the extreme north of Australia,
the party had the remarkable experience of rescuing a white woman from
captivity among the natives.
"In the afternoon some of our people on shore were surprised to
see a young white woman come up to claim their protection from a
party of natives from whom she had recently made her escape, and
who she thought would otherwise bring her back. Of course she
received every attention, and was taken on board the ship by the
first boat, when she told her story which is briefly as follows:
Her name is Barbara Thomson.
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