'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎368] (477/496)

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flames running with the rapidity of lightning along the whole top and
sides of this granite rock, casting a lurid glare on the calm and unruf
fled waters, and illuminating all the surrounding objects with the
brightness of day. It was certainly a grand sight, and I continued gazing
on the burning island until near midnight, when the flames flickered
away, and at last became extinct. During the day immense numbers of
sharks surrounded the vessel: several were taken and many shot—in fact
they were so numerous that the crew actually were tired of killing them.
The ebb tide we found set strong to the westward, being also much more
regular in its course than when amongst the coral reefs. The next
morning at sunrise weighed anchor in company with the Isabella, and
steered W. S. W. At 6*40, a small rocky islet, a few feet above water,
was discovered from the deck: it bore N. 40° W., and was distant about
five miles. In consequence of its not having been laid down in our chart
of these seas, the Captain named it Grant’s Island, after the Governor of
Bombay Sir R. Grant. As we neared Wednesday Island, saw several na
tives on the beach making the customary salutation, by waving palm
branches. At 10 anchored off the N". E. end of the island in seven fa
thoms sand, about f of a mile off shore, extremes E. by S. | S. to S. W.
S. Captain Igglesden, and a party of us, landed shortly after
anchoring, with the hopes of having an interview with the natives who
were then lining the beach, but as soon as the boat touched the shore
they set up one terrific yell, and fled precipitately into the woods.
As we approached them, making all kinds of friendly signs, we plain
ly saw these savages peeping behind the trees and retreating as our
party advanced. Finding that we should never come to a good un
derstanding with these creatures, we laid down our arms and beckon
ed them to stop. Three, after eyeing us suspiciously for some time,
made a dead halt, and after various antics, at last came forward grinning
most ferociously, and talking very loud and fast, evidently showing by
their manner some degree of fear. They frequently called our attention
to the guns, and from their signs, gave us clearly to understand that they
were perfectly aware of their use and dreaded their effects. We distri
buted a few trifling presents amongst them, but they did not seem pleas
ed ; nor could we manage to establish the same degree of confidence with
them as we did with the friendly Murray Islanders. They were evidently
suspicious and mistrustful, and their countenances clearly indicated that
ferociousness and treachery lurked beneath. They resembled the
Murray Islanders, though far more wild and savage-looking : the gene
rality were however tall but ill shaped, their arms and legs bem 0