CHAPTER 6. 
Transactions at Endeavour River, and intercourse with the Natives. 
Examine the River. 
Geognostical Remarks. 
Leave Endeavour River, and resume the examination of the coast. 
Anchor among Howick’s Group, and under Flinders’ Group. 
Explore Princess Charlotte’s Bay, and the Islands and Reefs as far as
Cape York, anchoring in the way on various parts of the coast. 
The cutter nearly wrecked at Escape River. 
Loss of anchor under Turtle Island. 
Pass round Cape York and through Torres Strait, by the Investigator’s
route.

1819.  June 28.

As soon as the vessel was secured, the boat’s frame was landed, and three of our people commenced its erection.  Previously however to this, the precaution was taken of burning the grass, to avoid a repetition of the revengeful and mischievous trick which the natives formerly played Captain Cook; for in a fit of rage, at not being allowed to take away some turtles that were lying on the ships’ deck, they set fire to the grass to windward of the tents, by which many stores and sails were consumed.*

(Footnote.  Hawkesworth volume 3 page 177.)

The moment that a few embers from our fireplace were scattered under the roots, the grass was in a blaze, and the flames rushed along with frightful rapidity and destructive effect.  Having thus very soon cleared sufficient space for our purpose, a sail was suspended between two trees, to shelter the people from the sun at their work upon the boat, the keel of which was laid the same evening.  In the afternoon we discovered two streamlets near the tent, from which we obtained our water, and wood was cut close to the beach.

Near the watering-place were some natives’ bark-huts and gourds; and two or three baskets, made of the leaf of the cabbage palm, were hanging on the branches of the surrounding bushes.  The owners of these implements were not seen, but it was evident they were near at hand, from the recent appearance of their traces; the bones of the kangaroo and scales of fish were strewed about their fireplaces, and close by were ovens similar to those of Goold Island.

June 29.

The following day Mr. Cunningham, being in search of plants, fell in with a party of natives consisting of ten or twelve men; two of them carried each a bundle of spears and a throwing-stick:  Mr. Cunningham endeavoured to persuade the three foremost to approach, but they were alarmed at a dog that was with him; seeing this he sent away the only man who accompanied him with the animal, and at last enticed them to draw near.  One of them was an elderly man on whose cheek was a recently-healed spear-wound; after some little communication they were easily induced to follow him towards our tent, but the moment they saw the cutter’s mast through the trees they stopped, and could not be prevailed upon to advance a step nearer; and, after devoting some time in watching us from the hills, walked away.  Upon Mr. Cunningham’s making his appearance with the strangers, I went towards him, to prevail upon them to visit our encampment, but they seemed more anxious that we should follow them, intimating by signs that they would give us something to eat; neither party, however, appearing inclined to yield to the other’s invitation, they soon went away.