1792 February

Sunday 19th All this day we had a Strong Gale at SW and WSW with very heavy Squalls of hail, so that every person felt a considerable degree of Cold. We were busily employed in taking on boar4d the last of our Wood, Spars & plank to be ready for Sea, and the Wind moderated at Night so as to permit us to get the Lower Yards and Top Gallant Masts up. As I saw no evident signs of the Natives being near us, I allowed two or three people on shore on leave every day. This Afternoon they met with about Two & Twenty Men & Women at Gully Head, near the low land of Frederick Henry. There was so much surprise on both sides mixed with fear, that their interview is was very short, and the whole information I got, was, there were Six Women, one had a Child at her back, and all of them had a peice of Skin for a covering over the lower part of the Belly. The Men, seventeen in number, were all naked and had thick beards; but they did not observe any paint or dirt about their Skins, or the Women's hair cutt as described by Captain Cook. Som peices of Bread were given to them which they eat, altho some trifles, such as rings which were offered, they would not accept. Our party finding them shy of any further intercourse, left the place, leaving a Hatchet Handkerchief & a Knife as a proof of their friendly intentions. They found four Lances, and the Short Stick described by Captain Cook. The Lances are streight and taper, and fit for Trout Fishing Rods and about 10 feet 6 Inches long. At the big end it is not above ¾ Inch Diameter. I have only thought his worth mentioning lest I may not see the Natives myself; but I have no doubt that the Women were Shorn about the Head and the Men painted, at least their Skins rubbed with Oker or Dirt. They were very desirous to have a Hatt, but the Weather was too Wet for their Visitors to spare one. Mortimer remarks in Oyster Bay of the Natives asking for Hats.