I had come across many tribes of natives on my way down.

Some I met were on the islands on which we landed, and others on the mainland.

Most of these black-fellows knew me both personally and by repute, many having been present at the great whale feast.

The natives at King's Sound recognised me, and gave me a hearty invitation to stay with them at their camp.

This I consented to do, and my friends then promised to set all the other tribes along the coast on the look-out for passing vessels, so that I might immediately be informed by smoke-signals when one was in sight.