Iknewverylittleaboutmusicalinstruments，butasIhadoftenlongedforsomethingtomakeanoisewith，ifonlytodrownthemaddeningcrashoftheeternalsurf，Ifashionedadrumoutofasmallbarrel，withsharks”skinstretchedtightlyovertheopenends。ThisIbeatwithacoupleofsticksasanaccompanimenttomysinging，andasBrunooccasionallyjoinedinwithahowlofdisapprovalorayellofjoy，theeffectmusthavebeenpicturesqueifnotmusical。Iwasreadytodoalmostanythingtodrownthatceaselesscr-ash，cr-ashofthebreakersonthebeach，fromwhosemelancholyandmonotonousroarIcouldneverescapeforasinglemomentthroughoutthewholeofthelongday。However，IescapeditssoundwhenIlaydowntosleepatnightbyaverysimpleplan。
AsIwasstone-deafintherightearIalwayssleptontheleftside。
Sevenwearymonthshadpassedaway，whenonemorning，onscanningthehorizon，Isuddenlyleapedintotheairandscreamed：“MyGod！
Asail！Asail！“Inearlybecamedeliriouswithexcitement，but，alas！theshipwastoofarouttoseatonoticemyfranticsignals。
Myislandlayverylow，andallthatIcouldmakeoutofthevesselinthedistancewashersails。Shemusthavebeenfullyfivemilesaway，yet，inmyexcitement，Iranupanddownthemiserablebeach，shoutinginafrenzyandwavingmyarmsinthehopeofattractingtheattentionofsomeoneonboard；butitwasallinvain。Theship，whichIconcludedwasapearler，keptsteadilyonherway，andeventuallydisappearedbelowthehorizon。
NevercanIhopetodescribethegnawingpainatmyheartas，hoarseandhalfmad，Isankexhaustedonthesand，watchingthelastvestigeoftheshipdisappearing。Altogether，Isawfiveshipspassinthiswayduringmysojournontheisland，buttheywerealwaystoofaroutatseatonoticemysignals。OneofthesevesselsIknewtobeaman-o”-warflyingtheBritishensign。I
triedtorigupalongerflag-staff，asIthoughttheoriginalonenothighenoughforitspurpose。AccordinglyIsplicedacoupleoflongpolestogether，buttomydisappointmentfoundthemtooheavytoraiseintheair。Brunoalwaysjoinedinmyenthusiasmwhenasailwasinsight；infact，hewasgenerallythefirsttodetectit，andhewouldbarkanddragatmeuntilhehaddrawnmyattentiontothenewhope。AndIlovedhimforhistendersympathyinmyparoxysmsofregretanddisappointment。Thehairyheadwouldrubcoaxinglyagainstmyarm，thewarmtonguelickingmyhand，andthefaithfulbrowneyesgazingatmewithaknowledgeandsympathythatweremorethanhuman——theseIfeelsuresavedmeagainandagain。Imightmentionthat，althoughmyboatwasabsolutelyuselessforthepurposeofescape，Ididnotneglectheraltogether，butsailedherabouttheenclosedlagoonbywayofpracticeinthehandlingofhersails。Thiswasalsoawelcomerecreation。
Ineverfearedalackoffreshwater，forwhen，inthedryseason，theship”sstockandmyreservefromthewetseasonwereexhausted，Ibusiedmyselfwiththecondensingofseawaterinmykettle，addingtomystoreliterallydropbydrop。WaterwastheonlyliquidIdrank，alltheteaandcoffeecarriedonboardhavingbeenrenderedutterlyuseless。
Thepowerfulwingedbirdsthataboundedontheislandonedaygavemeanidea：Whynothangamessagearoundtheirnecksandsendthemforthintotheunknown？Possiblytheymightbringhelp——whoknows？Andwithmetoconceivewastoact。Igotanumberofemptycondensed-milktins，and，bymeansoffire，separatedfromthecylinderthetindiscthatformedthebottom。OnthisdiscI
scratchedamessagewithasharpnail。InafewwordsIconveyedinformationaboutthewreckandmydeplorablecondition。Ialsogavetheapproximatebearings——latitudefifteentothirteendegrees，notfarfromtheAustralianmain。
Thesediscs——IpreparedseveralinEnglish，French，badDutch，German，andItalian——Ithenfastenedroundthenecksofthepelicans，bymeansoffish-gut，andawayacrosstheoceanspedtheaffrightedbirds，soscaredbythemysteriousencumbrancethatTHEY
NEVERRETURNEDTOTHEISLAND。
Imaysayherethatmorethantwentyyearslater，whenIreturnedtocivilisation，Ichancedtomentionthestoryaboutmymessenger-
birdstosomeoldinhabitantsatFremantle，WesternAustralia，when，tomyamazement，theytoldmethatapelicancarryingatindiscrounditsneck，bearingamessageinFrenchfromacastaway，HADbeenfoundmanyyearspreviouslybyanoldboatmanonthebeachnearthemouthoftheSwanRiver。Butitwasnotmine。
Soappallingwasthemonotony，andsolimitedmyresources，thatI
welcomedwithchildishgleeanytriflinglittleincidentthathappened。Forexample，onelovelynightinJuneIwasamazedtohearatremendouscommotionoutside，andongettinguptoseewhatwasthematter，Ibehelddimlycountlessthousandsofbirds——JavasparrowsIbelievethemtobe。Iwentbacktobedagain，andinthemorningwasalittledismayedtofindthatmyprettyvisitorshadeatenupnearlyallmygreencorn。AndthebirdswerestilltherewhenIwentforthinthemorning。Theymadetheairringwiththeirlivelychatter，buttheuproartheymadewasasmusictome。Themajorityofthemhadgreyish-yellowbodies，withyellowbeaksandpinkruffs，andtheywerenotatallafraidofme。I
movedaboutfreelyamongthem，anddidnotattempttodrivethemoutofmycornpatch，beingonlytoogratefultoseesomuchlifeaboutme。Theyrose，however，ingreatcloudsthenextday，muchtomyregret，andastheysoaredheavenwardsIcouldnothelpenvyingthemtheirblessedfreedom。
Ikeptcountofthelongdaysbymeansofpearlshells，forIhadnotusedupthewholecargointhewallsofmyhut。Iputshellssidebysideinarow，oneforeachday，untilthenumberreachedseven，andthenItransferredoneshelltoanotherplace，representingtheweeks。Anotherpileofshellsrepresentedthemonths；andasfortheyears，Ikeptcountofthosebymakingnotchesonmybow。Mypeculiarcalendarwasalwayscheckedbythemoon。
Now，Iamnotasuperstitiousman，soIrelatethefollowingextraordinaryoccurrencemerelyasithappened，andwithoutadvancinganytheoryofmyowntoaccountforit。Ihadbeenmany，manymonths——perhapsmorethanayear——onthatterriblelittlesand-spit，andonthenightIamdescribingIwenttobedasusual，feelingverydespondent。AsIlayasleepinmyhammock，Idreamedabeautifuldream。Somespiritualbeingseemedtocomeandbendoverme，smilingpityingly。Soextraordinarilyvividwastheapparition，thatIsuddenlywoke，tumbledoutofmyhammock，andwentoutsideonavaguesearch。Inafewminutes，however，I
laughedatmyownfollyandturnedinagain。
Ilaythereforsomelittletimelonger，thinkingaboutthepast——
forIdarednotdwellonthefuture——whensuddenlytheintensestillnessofthenightwasbrokenbyastrangelyfamiliarvoice，whichsaid，distinctlyandencouragingly，“Jesuisavectoi。Soitsanspeur。Tureviendras。”Icanneverhopetodescribemyfeelingsatthatmoment。
Itwasnotthevoiceofmyfathernorofmymother，yetitwascertainlythevoiceofsomeoneIknewandloved，yetwasunabletoidentify。Thenightwasstrangelycalm，andsostartlingwasthismysteriousmessagethatinstinctivelyIleapedoutofmyhammockagain，wentoutsideandcalledoutseveraltimes，but，ofcourse，nothinghappened。Fromthatnight，however，Ineverabsolutelydespaired，evenwhenthingslookedtheirveryworst。
Twointerminableyearshadpassedaway，whenonedaytheweathersuddenlychanged，andaterriblegalecommencedtoblow，whichthreatenedalmosttowreckmylittlehut。Onemorning，afewdayslater，whenthestormhadabatedsomewhat，IheardBrunobarkingwildlyonthebeach。Afewsecondsafterwardshecamerushingintothehut，andwouldnotrestuntilIpreparedtofollowhimoutside。
Beforedoingso，however，Ipickedupanoar——Iknewnotwhy。I
thenfollowedmydogdowntothebeach，wonderingwhatcouldpossiblyhavecausedhimtomakesuchafuss。Theseawassomewhatagitated，andasitwasnotyetverylight，Icouldnotclearlydistinguishthingsinthedistance。
Onpeeringseawardsforthethirdorfourthtime，however，I
fanciedIcouldmakeoutalong，blackobject，whichIconcludedmustbesomekindofaboat，tossingupanddownonthebillows。
ThenImustconfessIbegantoshareBruno”sexcitement，——
particularlywhenafewminuteslaterIdiscernedawell-madecatamaran，WITHSEVERALHUMANFIGURESLYINGPROSTRATEUPONIT！
CHAPTERIV
Itrytorevivemyvisitors——Demonstrationsofamazement——Avarietyentertainment——Evilspiritsinthemirror”Thestarabovemyhome“”Preliminarycanter“withtheboat——Ajoyfulprocession——
“Good-byetomyislandhome“——Nearingthemain——Amongthecannibals——Smoketelegraphy——Aweirdaudience——Anationmeetsme——
Myfirstpalace。
Mystateofmindwasperfectlyindescribable。Here，Ithought，aresomepoorshipwreckedcreatureslikemyself；andIprayedtoGodthatImightbethemeansofsavingthem。Theprospectofhavingatlengthsomeonetoconversewithfilledmewithunutterablejoy，andIcouldhardlyrestrainmyselffromrushingintothewaterandswimmingouttothecatamaran，whichwasstillseveralhundredyardsawayfromme。WoulditNEVERdrawnear？Ithought，wildwithimpatience。Andthen，tomyhorror，Isawthatitwascloselyfollowedbyanumberofsharks，whichswamroundandrounditexpectantly。Seeingthis，Icouldcontainmyselfnolonger。
Sternlycommandingmydognottofollowme，Iwadedintothewavesandthenswamboldlyouttothecatamaran，takinggoodcare，however，tomakeagreatnoiseasIswam，byshoutingandsplashinginordertofrightenawaythesharks。WheneventuallyIdidcomeuptothefloatingplatformoflogs，Ifoundthattherewerefourblacksuponit——aman，awoman，andtwoboys。Allwerelyingquiteprostratethroughexhaustion，apparentlymoredeadthanalive。Thesharksstillhungonpersistently，butatlengthIdrovethemawaybybeatingthewaterwithmyoar，withwhichIthenproceededtopaddlethecatamaranashore。Yousee，theoarIgraspedwhenBrunocametogivethealarmprovedofinestimablevalue；andsoallthroughmymarvellousyearsofsojournamongthecannibalsanundeniableProvidenceguidedmyeveryaction。Butthiswillbeseenfrommynarrativeinahundredamazinginstances。Iclimbedaboardthecatamaranandpaddleditintoshallowwater；andthen，jumpingoverboardagainIpulleditrightupontothebeach，andcarriedthefourblacksonebyoneintomyhut。Theywereinamostpitiablestateofcollapse。Theirtongueswereswollenandprotrudingoutoftheirmouths，andforalongtimeIcouldgetnothingdowntheirthroats。FirstofallItriedtorevivethemwithcoldwater，butfoundtheycouldnotswallow。
ThenIrememberedtherumIhadsavedfromthewreckallthistime，andprocuringsomeIrubbedtheirbodieswithit，tiedwetbandagesroundtheirnecks，androlledthemaboutinwetsails，inthehopethatinthiswaytheirbodiesmightabsorbthenecessaryliquid。
YouseeIhadanideathattheyweredyingfromwantofwater。Allfourwereterriblyemaciated，andinthelaststagesofexhaustion。
Aftertwoorthreehours”treatment，thetwoboysrecoveredconsciousness，andsomelittletimelaterthemanalsoshowedsignsofreviving，butthewomandidnotcometountiltheafternoon。
Noneofthem，ofcourse，wereabletowalk；andinthemeantimetheydidnothingbutdrinkwater。Theyseemednottorealisewhathadhappenedorwheretheywereuntilthefollowingday，andthentheirsurprise——mainlyatthesightofme——wasbeyondalldescription。Theirfirstsymptomwasoneofextremeterror，andinspiteofeverykindactionIcouldthinkof，theyheldoutforalongtimeagainstmyadvances——althoughIsignedtothemthatIwastheirfriend，pattingthemontheshoulderstoinspireconfidence，andtryingtomakethemunderstandthatIhadsavedthemfromaterribledeath。IfancytheyallthoughttheyhaddiedandwerenowinthepresenceofthemysteriousGreatSpirit！Atanyrate，itwasnotuntiltheybegantoeatfreelythattheygrewinsomemeasureaccustomedtome。Thenanungovernablecuriositymanifesteditself。Fromgazingatmeunceasingly，theytooktofeelingmeandpattingmyskin。Theymadequeer，gutturalsoundswiththeirmouths，evidentlyexpressiveofamazement；theyslappedtheirthighs，andcrackedtheirfingers。
Next，mybelongingscameinforinspection，andeverythingexcitedwondermentanddelighttosuchadegree，thatIblessedProvidenceforsendingmesomuchentertainingsociety。Myhut，withitscuriousthatchedroof，excitedvastinterest；anditwasamusingtoseethetwoboys，agedrespectivelyabouttwelveandfourteen，followingtheirparentsabout，jabberingincessantly，andgivingmesly，half-terrifiedglancesastheyexaminedmyimplementsandutensils。Thewomanwasthefirsttogetoverherfearofme，andshesoongrewtotrustmeimplicitly；whereasherhusbandneverceasedtoviewmewithinexplicablesuspicionuntilweregainedhisowncountry。Hewasabig，repulsive-lookingsavage，withamoroseandsullentemper；andalthoughhenevershowedsignsofopenantagonism，yetInevertrustedhimforamomentduringthesixlongmonthshewasmy“guest“onthelittlesand-bank！ItseemsI
unwittinglyoffendedhim，andinfringedthecourtesycommonamonghispeoplebydecliningtotakeadvantageofacertainembarrassingofferwhichhemademesoonafterhisrecovery。
Itmaynotbeanticipatingtoomuchtosayherethatthewomanwasdestinedtoplayavitallyimportantpartinthewholeofmylife，andwithherIwentthroughadventuresandsawsightsmoreweirdandwonderfulthananythingIhadeverreadof，eveninthewildestextravagancesofsensationalfiction。Buttherulingpassionwasverystrong，andoneofthefirstthingsIdidwastotakemyblackfriendsdowntothebeachandshowthemmypreciousboatfloatingidlyinthelagoon。Oddlyenough，Ihadinthemeantimealwaystakenthegreatestcareoftheboat，keepingherbottomcleanandgenerallyfurbishingherup——having，however，noparticularobjectinviewindoingthis，exceptperhapsthatitgavemesomethingtodo。Thepoorlittle“home-made“boatthrewtheblacksintoaperfectfrenzyofastonishment，andtheyconcludedthatImusthavecomefromaverydistantpartoftheworldinsoenormousa“catamaran。”Asamatteroffact，fromthatmomenttheylookeduponmeasmostcertainlyakindofSupremeSpiritfromanotherworld；theymayhavehaddoubtsbefore。NextIshowedthemthewreck，whichwasnowonlyabareskeletonofrottingwoodwork，butstillplainlydiscernibleamongthecoralrocks。ItriedtoexplaintothemthatitwasinthelargerboatthatIhadcome，buttheyfailedtounderstandme。
OnreturningtothehutIputonmyclothesfortheirbenefit，whereupontheiramazementwassogreatthatIseriouslycontemplateddiscontinuingmylistofwonders，lesttheyshouldbecomeabsolutelyafraidtoremainwithme。Theclothestheyconsideredpartofmyself——infact，akindofsecondaryskin！Theywereterriblyfrightenedanddistressed，andnotoneofthefourdaredapproachme。
Theblacksdidnotbuildthemselvesanyplaceofshelter，butmerelysleptintheopenairatnight，undertheleeofmyhut，withalargefirealwaysburningattheirfeet。Iofferedthembothblanketsandsailsbywayofcovering，buttheyrefusedthem，preferringtoliehuddledclosetogetherforwarmth。Inthemorningthewomanwouldpreparebreakfastforthem，consistingoffish(mainlymullet)，birds”andturtles”eggs，andsea-fowl；towhichwouldperhapsbeaddedsomelittleluxuryfrommyownstock。
Theyonlyhadtwomealsaday——oneinthemorningandtheotherintheafternoon。Theirfavouritefoodwasturtle，ofwhichtheycouldeatenormousquantities，especiallythefat。Brunowasalongtimebeforehetookkindlytothenewarrivals，probablybecausetheymanifestedsuchextraordinaryemotionwheneverhelifteduphisvoiceandbarked。
Ithinktheonlythingthatrousedthefatherofthefamilyfromhissullenmoodswasmyextraordinaryacrobaticperformances，whichalsothrewthetwolittleniggerboysintohystericsofdelight。
Father，mother，andchildrentriedtoimitatemysomersaults，“wheels，“andcontortions，butcametogriefsodesperately(oncethemorosemannearlybrokehisneck)thattheysoongaveitup。
Themanwouldsitandwatchourgambolsforhourswithoutmovingamuscle。Iwasneveractuallyafraidofhim，buttookgoodcarenottolethimgetpossessionofanyofmyweapons；andasIhadalsotakentheprecautiontobreakupandthrowintotheseathespearshehadbroughtwithhimonhiscatamaran，Ifeltprettysurehecouldnotdomuchmischiefevenifheweresodisposed。Afterseeingmebringdownbirdswithmybowandarrowhebegantoholdmeinabsolutefear，probablybecausehehadsomeideathathisownskinmightbejeopardisedifhedidnotaccommodatehimselftocircumstances。IrepeatedlytoldhimthatwithmyboatImightperhapssomedayhelphimtogetbacktohisowncountry，andI
mustsaythatthissuggestionrousedhimsomewhatfromhislethargy，andheappearedprofoundlygrateful。
GraduallyIacquiredaslightacquaintancewiththeextraordinarylanguageoftheblacks，andhadmanyachatwiththewoman，whoalsopickedupafewwordsofcomicalEnglishfromme。Shewasawomanofaverageheight，litheandsupple，withanintelligentfaceandsparklingeyes。Shewasaveryinterestingcompanion，andasI
grewmoreproficientinherqueerlanguageofsigns，andslaps，andclicks，IlearntfromhermanywonderfulthingsaboutthehabitsandcustomsoftheAustralianaborigines，whichprovedextremelyusefultomeinafteryears。Yamba——forthatwashername——toldmethatwhenIrescuedthemtheyhadbeenblownmilesandmilesoutoftheircourseandawayfromtheirowncountrybytheterriblegalethathadbeenragingaboutafortnightpreviously。ItseemsthattheyhadoriginallystartedoutonanexpeditiontocatchturtlesonalittleislandbetweenCambridgeGulfandQueen”sChannel，butthestormcarriedthemouttosea。Theydriftedaboutformanydays，untilatlengththeyreachedmylittleisland。Theonlyfoodtheyhadduringthewholeofthistimewasturtle，buttheywereentirelywithoutwater。Onewouldthinkthattheymustinevitablyhavediedofthirst，buttheblacksarewonderfulpeopleforgoingwithoutwaterforprolongedperiods。Moreover，theyfindamouthfulofsaltwateroccasionallyquitesustaining。
Oneofmymostamusingexperienceswiththeblackswasonedaywhen，quiteaccidentally，Yambacaughtsightofherselfforthefirsttimeinthelittleovallooking-glassIhadhangingupinthehutnearmyhammock。Shethoughtlesslytookitdownandhelditcloseuptoherface。Shetrembled，feltthesurfaceoftheglass，andthenlookedhurriedlyontheback。Onelong，last，lingeringlookshegave，andthenflewscreamingoutofthehut。
Oddlyenough，sheovercameherfearslater，and，woman-like，wouldcomeandlookinthemirrorforanhouratastretch，smackingherlipsallthewhileinwonderment，andmakingmostcomicalgrimacesandcontortionstotryvariouseffects。Herhusband，however(Gunda，asIcalledhim)，wasverydifferentlyaffected，forthemomenthiswifeshowedhimhisownreflectionintheglasshegaveaterrificyellandboltedtotheotherendofthelittleisland，inastateofthemostabjectterror。Heneverquiteovercamehisterroranddistrustofthemirror，whichheevidentlyconsideredpossessedoflife，andinrealityakindofspirittobefearedandavoided。
But，ofcourse，thetwoboysfoundtheglassanever-endingsourceofamazementandwonder，andwerenotintheleastafraidofitafterthefirstnaturalshockofsurprise。Altogether，IthankedGodforsendingmemynewcompanions；and，asyoumaysuppose，theyaffordedmeasmuchentertainmentandgratificationasIandmybelongingsdidthem。
Everyevening，beforeretiringtorest，thefamilysquattedroundthefireandindulgedinamournfulkindofchant——singing，asI
afterwardslearnt，thewonderstheyhadseenonthewhiteman”sisland；mymirrorcominginforspecialmention。Thiswastheonlyapproachtoa“religiousservice“Ieversaw，andwaspartlyintendedtopropitiateorfrightenawaythespiritsofthedeparted，ofwhomtheAustralianblackshaveagreathorror。
Theblackshadbeenwithmetwoorthreeweeks，whenoneeveningthemanapproachedandintimatedinunmistakabletermsthathewantedtogetawayfromtheislandandreturntohisownland。Hesaidhethoughtheandhisfamilycouldeasilyreturntotheirfriendsonthemainlandbymeansofthecatamaranthathadbroughtthem。
AndYamba，thatdevotedandmysteriouscreature，solemnlypointedouttomeaglowingstarfarawayonthehorizon。There，shesaid，laythehomeofherpeople。AfterthisIwasconvincedthatthemainlandcouldnotbemorethanacoupleofhundredmilesorsoaway，andIdeterminedtoaccompanythemonthejourneythither，inthehopethatthismightformoneofthestepping-stonestocivilisationandmyownkind。Welostnotime。Onegloriousmorningwethree——Yamba，herhusband，andmyself——repairedtothefatallagoonthathemmedinmypreciousboat，andwithoutmoreadodraggeditupthesteepbankbymeansofrollersrunonplanksacrossthesand-spit，andthenfinally，withatremendoussplashandanexcitedhurrahfrommyself，itglidedoutintothewater，athingofmeaning，ofescape，andoffreedom。Theboat，notwithstandingitslongperiodofuselessness，wasperfectlywater-tightandthoroughlyseaworthy，althoughstillunpleasantlylowatthestern。Gundawasimpatienttobeoff，butIpointedouttohimthat，asthewindpersistentlyblewinthewrongdirectiondayafterday，weshouldbecompelledperforcetodelayourdepartureperhapsforsomemonths。Yousee，Gundawasnotamanwhorequiredtomakemuchpreparation：hethoughtallweshouldhavetodowastotumbleintotheboatandsetsailacrossthesunlitsea。“Icanpaddlemycatamaranagainstbothwindandtide；
whycannotyoudothesame？“hewouldsay。Hedidnotunderstandtheadvantageorusesofsails。Hehadlosthisownpaddlesinthestorm，otherwisehewouldinallprobabilityhavelefttheislandonhisownaccount。Hewaslikeafishoutofwaterwhenthenoveltyofhissituationworeoff。Ontheotherhand，Ithoughtofwater，provisions，andotherequallyvitalnecessaries。SoGundahadtorestcontentforatime，andhegrew，ifpossible，moremoroseandsullenthanever。
Duringthisperiodofimpatientwaiting，wemademanyexperimentalvoyagesouttosea，andgenerallygottheboatintocapitaltrimforthegreatandeventfuljourney。Isawtoitthatshewasthoroughlywellprovisionedwithtinnedstuffs——longputononesideforthepurpose；andImaysayherethatatthelastmomentbeforestartingIplacedonboardthreelargeliveturtles，whichsupplieduswithmeatuntilwereachedtheAustralianmain。Ialsotookaplentifulsupplyofwater，inbagsmadefromtheintestinesofbirdsandfishes；alsoasmallcaskcontainingabouttengallonsofthepreciousfluid，whichwasplacednearthemast。Inshort，asfarIwasable，Iprovidedeverythingthatwasnecessaryforthismostimportantjourney。Butconsiderforamomentthehorribledoubtsandfearsthatrackedme。IFANCIEDthemainlandwasnotveryfaraway，butyoumustrememberIwasnotatallcertainhowlongitwouldtakeustoreachit；norcouldIbesure，therefore，whetherIhadtakenasufficientsupplyoffoodandwater。Ourprovisions，whichincludedtinnedmeats，corninthecobandloose，turtles”fleshandintestines，flour，rice，beans，&c。，would，however，onafairlyliberalallowance，lastalittleoverthreeweeks。Wealsocarriedsomeblankets，nails，tar，andotherrequisites。OfmybooksIonlytookmyBiblewithme。ThisIwrappedupinparchmentmadefrompelicanskin，togetherwithfourphotographsofacertainyoungladywhichIcarriedaboutwithmethroughoutthewholeofmywanderings。Thepropulsivepowerwas，ofcourse，thebiglug-sail，whichwasalwaysheldlooselyinthehand，andnevermadefast，forfearofasuddencapsize。
Sixmonthshadpassedawaysincetheadventofmyvisitors，whenonemorningweallmarchedoutfromthehutanddowntothebeach；
thetwoboysfairlyyellingwithjoy，andwavingbunchesofgreencornpluckedfrommygarden。Theirmotherskippedgailyhitherandthither，andImyselfwashardlyabletocontrolmytransportsofexcitementandexhilaration。EvenGundabeameduponthepreparationsforourrelease。Ididnotdemolishmyhutofpearlshells，butleftitstandingexactlyasithadbeenduringthepasttwoandahalfyears。NormustIomittomentionthatIburiedmytreasureofpearlsdeepinthesandatoneendoftheisland，andinallhumanprobabilityitisthereatthismoment，forIhaveneverreturnedforthem，asIfondlyhopedtobeabletodosoatsomefuturedate。Itis，ofcourse，possiblethatthepreciousboxhasbeenwashedawayinastorm，butmoreprobablythecontraryisthecase，andstilldeeperlayersofsandhavebeensiltedoverthisgreattreasure。Idarednotcarryanythingoverseathatwasnotvitallynecessary，andwhatgoodwerepearlstomeonmyfearfuljourney，convoyingfourotherpeopleoutintotheunknowninacrazy，home-madeboat？Evenmassesofvirgingoldwereofverylittleusetomeintheyearsthatfollowed；butofthismoreanon。Mycondition，bytheway，atthistimewasoneofrobusthealth；indeed，IwasgettingquitestoutowingtothequantityofturtleIhadbeeneating，whilstYamba”shusbandwaspositivelycorpulentfromthesamereason。
ThatgloriousmorninginthelastweekofMay1866willeverbegraveninmymemory。AsIcastofffromthatsavingbutcruelshore，IthankedmyMakerforhavingpreservedmesolongandbroughtmethroughsuchawfulperils，aswellasforthegoodhealthIhadalwaysenjoyed。Astheboatbegantoripplethroughtheinclosedwatersofthelagoon，thespiritsofthefourblacksrosesohighthatIwasafraidtheywouldcapsizethelittlecraftintheirexcitement。
Therewasastrong，warmbreezeblowinginourfavour，andsoonmyislandhomewasrecedingswiftlyfromourview。Thelastthingtoremaininsightwastheshellhut，butthis，too，disappearedbeforewehadcoveredthreemiles。Itwouldhavebeenvisiblefromabigshipatamuchgreaterdistance，butnoonewouldeverimaginewhatitreallywas。Yambasatnearmeinthestern，butherhusbandcurledhimselfupattheoppositeendoftheboat；andfromthetimewereachedtheopenseapracticallyuntilwegainedthemain，hedidnotrelaxhisattitudeofreserveanddoggedsilence。Heateanddrankenormously，however。Youwouldhavethoughtwewereinalandflowingwithmilkandhoney，insteadofanopenboatwithlimitedprovisionsandanunknownjourneyinfrontofus。Hedidexerthimselfsufficientlyononeoccasion，however，todiveoverboardandcaptureaturtle。Hewassittingmoodilyintheprowoftheboatasusualoneafternoon，whensuddenlyhejumpedup，andwithayelltookaheaderoverboard，almostcapsizingourheavilyladenboat。AtfirstIthoughthemusthavegonemad，butonheavingto，Isawhimsomelittledistanceawayinthewaterstrugglingwithaturtle。Hemanagedtogetitonitsbackafteratime，andthoughIfeltannoyedathisrecklessness，Icouldnothelplaughingathisanticsandthecomicaleffortsmadebytheturtletoescape。Theturtlewasdulyhauledaboard，andwethencontinuedourvoyagewithoutdelay。I
wasdreadfullyafraidofbeingcaughtinastorm。Ourboatmustinevitablyhavefounderedhadtheseasbeenatallrough。
Fortunatelyneveroncedidthewindchange，sothatwewereabletosailonsteadilyandsafelynightandday，withoutdeviatingintheleastfromourcourse。Wetravelledfullyfourknotsanhour，thewindandcurrentbeingnearlyalwaysinourfavour。Itwas，however，apainfullymonotonousandtryingexperiencetositthusintheboat，crampedupaswewere，dayafterdayandnightafternight。Aboutthefifthdaywesightedasmallisland——probablyBarkerIsland，inthevicinityofAdmiraltyGulf——andlandeduponitatoncesolelyforthepurposeofstretchingourachinglimbs。
Thislittleislandwasuninhabited，andcoveredtotheverywater”sedgewithdensetropicalvegetation。Itwasaperfectlyexhilaratingexperiencetowalkaboutonrealearthoncemore。Wecookedsometurtlemeatandstayedafewhoursontheisland，afterwhichweenteredtheboatandputoffonourjourneyagain。JustbeforeleavingIstoredaquantityofcorn，cobs，seeds，&c。，inalittlecairnincasewemightbecompelledtoreturn。Ialwayssteered，keepingeastbynorth，butYambarelievedmeforafewhourseachevening——generallybetweensixandnineo”clock，whenI
enjoyedabriefbutsoundsleep。Gundaneverofferedtotakeaspell，andIdidnotthinkitworthwhiletotroublehim。
Thusnightanddaywesailedsteadilyon，occasionallysightingsharksandevenwhales。Wepassedagreatnumberofislands，someofthemwoodedandcoveredwithbeautifuljunglegrowths，whilstotherswerenothingbutrockandsand。Noneofthemseemedtobeinhabited。Theseawassmoothallthetime，butoccasionallythecurrentscarriedusoutofourcourseamongtheislands，andthenwehadtolandandwaittillthetideturned。Nomatterhowthewindwas，ifthetidewasnotalsoinourfavourwehadtoland。
Wecruisedinandoutamongtheislandsfortendaysormore，whenweroundedCapeLondonderryandthensteeredS。byE。Thecurrent，however，carriedusstraightforCambridgeGulf。OnelittleislandIsightedbetweenCambridgeGulfandQueen”sChannelhadacurioushouse-likestructurebuiltinoneofthetreesonthecoast。Thetrunkofthistreewasverylargeandtapering，andtheplatformarrangementwasbuiltamongstthebranchesatthetop，afterthemanneradoptedbythenativesofNewGuinea。
Youmayimaginemyfeelingswhen，earlyonemorning，Yambasuddenlygrippedmyarmandmurmured，“Wearenearingmyhomeatlast。”I
leapedtomyfeet，andafewminutesafterwardsthemainlandcamehazilyintoview。Insteadofheadingstraightforit，however，wemadeforabeautifulislandthatstoodinthemouthofalargebay，andherewelandedtorecuperateforadayorso。Immediatelyonourarrival，Yambaandherhusbandlitsomefires，andmadewhatwereapparentlysmoke-signalstotheirfriendsonthemain。Theyfirstcutdownaquantityofgreenwoodwithmytomahawkandarrangeditintheformofapyramid。Nexttheyobtainedfirebyrubbingtogethertwopiecesofacertainkindofwood；andasthesmokeascendedwesawansweringsmoke-signalsfromtheoppositeshore。Thesmokewasallowedtoascendinpuffswhichwereregulatedbythemanipulationofboughs。Notlongafterthiscuriousexchangeofsignals(andthepracticeisvirtuallyuniversalthroughoutthewholeofaboriginalAustralia)，wesawthreecatamarans，orfloats，eachcarryingaman，shootingacrosstowardsourisland。Thesecatamaransmerelyconsistedofabroadplankwithastickplacedtransverselyattheprow，onwhichtheblackplacedhisfeet。Hesquatteddownontheplankandthenpaddledforward。Iviewedtheirapproachwithmixedsensationsofalarmandhope。Iwasinthepowerofthesepeople，Ithought。
Theycouldtearmelimbfromlimb，tortureme，killandeatme，iftheysopleased；Iwasabsolutelyhelpless。Thesefears，however，werebutmomentary，andbackuponmymindrushedthecalmassurancesIhadobtainedfrommyclear-eyedmentor，Yamba，tosaynothingaboutthemysteriousmessageofhopeandconsolationthathadstartledthesolemnstillnessofthattropicalnight。Iknewthesepeopletobecannibals，for，duringthelongtalksweusedtohaveontheisland，Yambahaddescribedtometheirhorridfeastsafterasuccessfulwar。Nevertheless，IawaitedthearrivalofthelittleflotillawithallthecomplacencyIcouldmuster，butatthesametimeIwascarefultoletYamba”shusbandbethefirsttoreceivethem。
Andheadvancedtomeetthem。Thenewcomers，havinglanded，squatteddownsomelittledistanceawayfromthemantheyhadcometomeet，andthenGundaandtheygraduallyedgedforwardstowardsoneanother，untilatlengtheachplacedhisnoseupontheother”sshoulder。Thiswasapparentlythenativemethodofembracing。
LaterGundabroughthisfriendstobeintroducedtome，andtothebestofmyabilityIwentthroughthesameridiculousceremony。I
mustsaymynewfriendsevincedanalmostuncontrollableterroratthesightofme。Gunda，however，madeitclearthatIwasNOTareturnedspirit，butamanlikethemselves——agreatmancertainly，andamysteriousman，butamanallthesame。Althoughbythistimemyskinhadbecometannedanddark，therewasseeminglynoendtotheamazementitcausedtheblacks。Theytimidlytouchedandfeltmybody，legs，andarms，andwerevastlyanxioustoknowwhatthecoveringwasIhadroundmybody。Induetime，however，theexcitementsubsidedsomewhat，andthenthenewcomerspreparedmoresmoke-signalstotheirfriendsonthemainland——thistimebuildingfiveseparatefiresintheformofacircle。
Itwasinterestingtowatchthisremarkablemethodofcommunication。Eachfirewassetsmokingfiercelyafewsecondsafteritsneighbourhadstarted。Finally，thecolumnsofsmokeunited，andascendedtogetherintheformofahugepyramid，goingupatremendousheightintothestill，hotair。Themeaningofthesesignalswasexplainedtome。TheyindicatedtothepeopleonthemainlandthattheadvanceguardhadfoundGundaandhisfamily；
thattheyhadagreatmanwiththem；andthat，furthermore，theymightexpectustoreturnalltogetheralmostimmediately。Bythistime，thankstoYamba”sableandintelligentlessons，Iwasabletospeakthequeerlanguageoftheblackswithsomeshowoffluency，andIcouldunderstandthemwellenoughwhentheydidnotjabbertooquickly。
Thenextphaseofourarrivalwasthat“smokes“wereascendinginalldirectionsonthemainland，evidentlycallingthetribesfromfarandnear。Howthesesmoke-signalsgaveanideaofthewhitemanandhiswondersIamutterlyatalosstoimagine。InthemeantimeYambahadpreparedagreatfeastforthevisitors，theprincipaldishbeingourremainingbigturtle，ofwhichtheblacksateaprodigiousquantity。IafterwardstoldthemthatIwasinneedofaprolongedrest，mylongjourneyhavingweariedme，andafterthisexplanationIretired，andslungmyhammockinashadynook，whereIsleptundisturbedfromshortlybeforenoonuntillateintheday，whenmyever-faithfulYamba，whohadbeenkeepingacarefulwatch，wokemeandsaidthatthefestivitiespriortoourdeparturewereabouttotakeplace。
Muchrefreshed，Irejoinedtheblacks，and，totheirunboundeddelightandamazement，entertainedthemforafewminuteswithsomeofmyacrobatictricksandcontortions。Someofthemoreemulousamongthemtriedtoimitatemyfeatsofagility，butalwayscamedismallytogrief——aperformancethatcreatedevenmorefranticmerrimentthanmyown。Afteralittlewhiletheblacksdisappeared，onlytocomeforthafewminuteslaterwiththeirbodiesgorgeouslydecoratedwithstripesofyellowochreandredandwhitepigments。ThesestartlingpreparationsprecededagreatCORROBOREEinhonourofmyarrival，andinthisembarrassingfunctionIwas，ofcourse，expectedtojoin。Theceremonywaskeptupwithextraordinaryvigourthewholenightlong，butallIwasrequiredtodowastositbeatingstickstogether，andjoininthegeneraluproar。Thiswasallverywellforalittlewhile，butthemonotonyoftheaffairwasterrible，andIwithdrewtomyhammockbeforemidnight。
InthemorningIsawagreatfleetofcatamaransputtingofffromthemainland，andinaveryshorttimebetweenfiftyandsixtynativesjoinedourpartyontheisland。Thenfollowedtheusualgreetingsandcomicalexpressionsofamazement——ofcourse，atthesightofme，myboat，andeverythinginit。Afewhourslaterthewholecrowdlefttheisland，ledbymeinthebigboat——which，bytheway，attractedasmuchinterestasIdidmyself。Thenativesforcedtheircatamaransthroughthewateratgreatspeed，usingonlyonepaddle，whichwasdippedfirstononesideandthenontheotherinrapidsuccession，without，however，causingtheapparentlyfrailcrafttoswerveintheslightestdegree。
Asweapproachedthenewcountry，Ibeheldavastsurgingcrowdofexcitedblacks——men，women，andchildren，allperfectlynaked——
standingonthebeach。Themomentwelandedtherewasamostextraordinaryrushformyboat，andeverythingonboardherwasthereandthensubjectedtotheclosestscrutiny。
Thepeopleseemedtobedividedintoclans，andwhenoneclanwasbusyinspectingmyimplementsandutensils，anotherwaspatientlywaitingitsturntoexaminethewhiteman”swonders。Isatintheboatforsometime，fairlybewilderedanddeafenedbytheuproariousjabberingsandshrill，excitedcriesofamazementandwonderthatfilledtheairallroundme。Atlast，however，theblackswhohadcomeouttomeetusontheislandcametomyrescue，andescortedmethroughthecrowd，withvisiblepride，toaneminenceoverlookingthenativecamping-ground。Ithenlearntthatthenewsofmycominghadbeensmoke-signalledineverydirectionformanymiles；hencetheenormousgatheringofclansonthebeach。
Thecamping-groundInowfoundmyselfuponconsistedofaboutthirtyprimitiveshelters，builtofboughsinthemostflimsymanner，andonlyintendedtobreaktheforceofthewind。Theseshelters，or“break-winds，“werecrescent-shaped，hadhoroof，andwerenotinanywayclosedininfront。Therewere，however，twoorthreegrasshutsofbeehiveshape，aboutsevenfeethighandtenfeetindiameter，withaqueerlittleholeatthebasethroughwhichtheoccupierhadtocrawl。Theinsidewasperfectlydark。
IwastoldIcouldhaveeitherabreak-windofboughsorabeehivehut，andonconsiderationIchosethelatter。Itwould，I
reflected，ensuresomethingapproachingprivacy。MyindefatigableYambaandafewofherwomenfriendssettoworkthenandthere，andpositivelyinlessthananhourthegrasshutwasreadyforoccupation！Ididnot，however，staytowitnessthecompletionofthebuildingoperations，butwentoffwithsomeself-appointedciceronestoseethedifferentcamps；everywhereIwasreceivedwiththegreatestenthusiasmandmanifestationsofrespectandfriendship。Mysimpleloin-clothofcrimsonJapanesesilkoccasionedmuchastonishmentamongtheblacks，butcuriouslyenoughthemenwerefarmoreastonishedatmyFOOTPRINTSthananyotherattributeIpossessed。Itseemsthatwhentheythemselveswalktheyturntheirfeetsideways，sothattheyonlymakeahalfimpression，sotospeak，insteadofafullfootprint。Ontheotherhand，Iofcourseplantedmyfeetsquarelydown，andthisimprintinthesandwasfollowedbyacrowdofblacks，whogravelypeeredateveryfootprint，slappingthemselvesandclickinginamazementatthewonderfulthing！
CHAPTERV
Somequeerdishes——Waterwizards——Amysteriousdeputation——I
protestagainstcannibalism——Mymarriageceremony——Astartlingproposition——Dailyroutine——Adietofworms——Iproceedcautiously——
Thecannibalpoetsellshiswares——Fishingextraordinary——Howemuswerecaught——Eternalfires——Acominghorror——Thefirstcannibalfeast。
IsawverylittleofGundafromthemomentoflanding。Ifeelsurethatthefactofhishavingseensomuchoftheworld，andtravelledsuchalongdistance——tosaynothingaboutbringingbacksowonderfulacreatureasmyself——hadrenderedhimaverygreatmanindeedintheestimationofhisfriends；andinconsequenceofthissomuchhonourwaspaidhimthathebecamepuffedupwithpride，andneglectedhisfaithfulwife。
EverywhereIwentthenativeswereabsolutelyoverwhelmingintheirhospitality，andpresentsoffoodofallkindswerefairlyshowereduponme，includingsuchdelicaciesaskangarooandopossummeat，rats，snakes，tree-worms，fish，&c。，whichwerealwaysleftoutsidemyhut。Bakedsnake，Ioughttomention，wasaverypleasantdishindeed，butastherewasnosaltforthcoming，andthefleshwasverytasteless，IcannotsayIenjoyedthisparticularnativedainty。Thesnakeswereinvariablybakedwholeintheirskins，andthemeatwasverytenderandjuicy，thoughalittleinsipidastoflavour。Thenativemethodofcookingistoscoopoutaholeinthesandwiththehands，andthenplacethearticletobecookedatthebottom。Someloosestoneswouldthenbethrownoverthe“joint。”Nextwouldcomealayerofsand，andthefirewasbuiltonthetopofall。Ratswerealwaysplentiful——oftensomuchsoastobecomeaseriousnuisance。Theywereofthelargebrownvariety，andwerenotatallbadeating。Imaysayherethatthewomen-folkwereresponsibleforthecatchingoftherats，themethodusuallyadoptedbeingtopokeintheirholeswithsticks，andthenkillthemastheyrushedout。Thewomen，bytheway，wereresponsibleforagoodmanythings。Theyweretheirmasters”
dressers，sotospeak，inthattheywererequiredtocarrysuppliesofthegreasyclayorearthwithwhichtheblacksanointtheirbodiestowardoffthesun”sraysandinsectbites；andbesidethis，woebetidethewivesifcorroboreetimefoundthemwithoutanamplesupplyofcolouredpigmentsforthedecorationoftheirmasters”bodies。Oneoftheprincipaldutiesofthewomen-folk，however，wastheprovisionofrootsforthefamily”sdinner。Themostimportantamongthesenecessaries——besidesfineyams——weretherootandbudofakindofwater-lily，whichwhenroastedtastednotunlikeasweetpotato。
Therewasusuallyagoodwatersupplyintheneighbourhoodofthesecamps，andifitfailed(asitveryfrequentlydid)，thewholetribesimplymoveditsquarterselsewhere——perhapsahundredmilesoff。
Theinstinctofthesepeopleforfindingwater，however，wasnothingshortofmiraculous。Noonewouldthinkofgoingdowntotheseashoretolookforfreshwater，yettheyoftenshowedmethepurestandmostrefreshingofliquidsoozingupoutofthesandonthebeachafterthetidehadreceded。
Allthistime，andformanymonthsafterwards，myboatandeverythingitcontainedweresavedfrommolestationandtheftbyacuriousdeviceonthepartofYamba。Shesimplyplacedacoupleofcrossedsticksonthesandnearthebows，thisbeingevidentlyakindofMasonicsigntoallbeholdersthattheyweretorespectthepropertyofthestrangeramongthem；andIverilybelievethattheboatanditscontentsmighthaveremainedthereuntiltheyfelltopiecesbeforeanyoneofthosecannibalblackswouldhavedreamedoftouchinganythingthatbelongedtome。
AfteratimethenativesbeganpointedlytosuggestthatIshouldstaywiththem。TheyhadprobablyheardfromYambaaboutthestrangethingsIpossessed，andtheoccultpowersIwassupposedtobegiftedwith。Adayortwoaftermylanding，acuriousthinghappened——nothingmoreorlessthanthecelebrationofmymarriage！
Iwasstandingnearmyboat，stillfullofthoughtsofescape，whentwomagnificentnakedchiefs，deckedwithgaudypigmentsandfeatherhead-dresses，advancedtowardsme，leadingbetweenthemayoung，duskymaidenofcomparativelypleasingappearance。
Thethreewerefollowedbyanimmensecrowdofnatives，andwerewithinafewfeetofme，whentheyhaltedsuddenly。Oneofthechiefsthensteppedoutandofferedmeamurderous-lookingclub，withabigknobatoneend，whichuglyweaponwasknownasa“waddy。”AshepresentedthisclubthechiefmadesignsthatIwastoknockthemaidenontheheadwithit。Now，onthisIconfessI
wasstruckwithhorroranddismayatmyposition，for，instantlyrecallingwhatYambahadtoldme，IconcludedTHATACANNIBALFEAST
WASABOUTTOBEGIVENINMYHONOUR，andthat——worsthorrorofall——
Imighthavetoleadoffwiththefirstmouthfulofthatsmilinggirl。Ofcourse，Ireflectedtheyhadbroughtthehelplessvictimtome，thedistinguishedstranger，tokillwithmyownhands。Atthatcriticalmoment，however，Iresolvedtobeabsolutelyfirm，evenifitcostmemylife。
WhileIhesitated，thechiefremainedabsolutelymotionless，holdingoutthemurderous-lookingclub，andlookingatmeinterrogatively，asthoughunabletounderstandwhyIdidnotavailmyselfofhisoffer。Stillmoreextraordinary，thecrowdbehindobservedasolemnanddisconcertingsilence。Ilookedatthegirl；
tomyamazementsheappeareddelightedwiththingsgenerally——apoor，merrylittlecreature，notmorethanfifteenorsixteenyearsofage。Idecidedtoharanguethechiefs，andasapreliminaryI
gavethemtheuniversalsigntositdownandparley。Theydidso，butdidnotseempleasedatwhattheydoubtlessconsideredanunlooked-forhitchinaninterestingceremony。
Theninhesitatingsigns，slaps，clicks，andgutturalutterances，I
gavethemtounderstandthatitwasagainstmyfaithtohaveanythingwhatevertodowiththehorridorgytheycontemplated。
TheGreatSpirittheydreadedsomuchyetsovaguely，Iwentontosay，hadrevealedtomethatitwaswrongtokillanyoneincoldblood，andstillmoreloathsomeandhorribletoeatthefleshofamurderedfellow-creature。Iwasverymuchinearnest，andIwaitedwithnervoustrepidationtoseetheeffectofmyperoration。Underthecircumstances，youmayjudgeofmyastonishmentwhennotonlythechiefs，butthewhole“nation“assembled，suddenlyburstintoroarsofeerielaughter。
ThencameYambatotherescue。Ah！nobleanddevotedcreature！
Thebarementionofhernamestirseveryfibreofmybeingwithloveandwonder。Greaterlovethanhersnocreatureeverknew，andnotoncebutathousandtimesdidshesavemywretchedlifeattheriskofherown。
Well，Yamba，Isay，cameupandwhisperedtome。Shehadbeenstudyingmyfacequietlyandeagerly，andhadgraduallycometoseewhatwaspassinginmymind。Shewhisperedthatthechiefs，farfromdesiringmetokillthegirlforacannibalfeast，wereOFFERINGHERTOMEASAWIFE，andthatIwasmerelyexpectedtotapherontheheadwiththestick，intokenofhersubjectiontohernewspouse！Inshort，thisblowontheheadwasthelegalmarriageceremonytoutsimple。Imaintainedmydignityasfaraspossible，andproceededtocarryoutmypartofthecuriousceremony。
Itappedthebright-eyedgirlonthehead，andsheimmediatelyfellprostrateatmyfeet，intokenofherwifelysubmission。Ithenraisedherupgently，andallthepeoplecamedancingroundus，utteringweirdcriesofsatisfactionanddelight。Oddlyenough，Yamba，farfrommanifestinganyjealousy，seemedtotakeasmuchinterestasanyoneintheproceedings，andaftereverythingwasoversheledmynewwifeawaytothelittle“humpy，“orhut，thathadbeenbuiltformebythewomen。Thatnightanindescribablyweirdcorroboreewasheldinmyhonour，andIthoughtitadvisable，sincesomuchwasbeingmadeofme，toremainthereallnightandacknowledgetheimpromptusongsthatwerecomposedandsunginmyhonourbythenativebards。IamafraidIfeltutterlylostwithoutYamba，whowas，inthemostliteralsense，myrighthand。
BythistimeshecouldspeakalittleEnglish，andwassomarvellouslyintelligentthatsheseemedtodiscoverthingsbysheerintuitionorinstinct。Ithinksheneverletadaygobywithoutfavourablyimpressingthechiefsconcerningme，myprowessandmypowers；andwithoutherhelpIsimplycouldnothavelivedthroughthelongandwearyyears，norshouldIeverhavereturnedtocivilisation。
Theverynextdayaftermy“marriage，“havingbeenstillfurtherenlightenedastothemannersandcustomsofthenatives，IwaiteduponGunda，andcalmlymadetohimthepropositionthatweshouldexchangewives。Thissuggestionhereceivedwithakindofsubduedsatisfaction，orholyjoy，andveryfewfurthernegotiationswereneededtomakethetransactioncomplete；and，beitsaid，itwasanevery-daytransaction，perfectlylegalandrecognisedbyalltheclans。Yambawasfullofvigourandresource，whiletheonlyphrasethatfitlydescribesherbushloreisabsolutelymiraculous。
Thiswillbeevincedinahundredextraordinaryinstancesinthisnarrative。
Butyoumaybeasking，Whatofmydog，Bruno？Well，Iamthankfultosay，hewasstillwithme，butittookhimalongtimetoaccustomhimselftohisnewsurroundings；heparticularlyobjectedtoassociatingwiththemiserablepariahcursthatprowledabouttheencampment。Theywouldtakeslybitesoutofhimwhenhewasnotlooking，butonthewhole，hewaswellabletoholdhisown，beingmuchmorepowerfulthanthey。
Isettleddowntomynewlifeinthecourseofafewdays，butI
needhardlyremarkIdidnotproposestayinginthatforlornspotlongerthanIcouldhelp。Thiswasmyplan。Iwould，firstofall，makemyselfacquaintedwiththehabitsandcustomsoftheblacks，andpickupasmuchbushmanshipandknowledgeofthecountryasitwaspossibletoacquire，incaseIshouldhavetotravelinlandinsearchofcivilisationinsteadofoversea。Iknewthatitwouldbefollyonmyparttoattempttoleavethosehospitableregionswithoutknowingmoreofthegeographyofthecountryanditspeople。Therewasalways，however，thehopethatsomedayImightbeableeithertogetawaybyseainmyboat，orelsehailsomepassingvessel。Theblackstoldmetheyhadseenmanypassatadistance。
EverymorningIwasastirbysunrise，and——hopespringingeternal——
atoncesearchedforthefaintestindicationofapassingsail。
NextIwouldbatheinalagoonprotectedfromsharks，dryingmyselfbyarunonthebeach。MeanwhileYambawouldhavegoneoutsearchingforrootsforbreakfast，andsheseldomreturnedwithoutasupplyofmyfavouritewater-lilybudsalreadymentioned。Often，intheyearsthatfollowed，didthatheroiccreatureTRAMPONFOOT
AHUNDREDMILEStogetmeafewsprigsofsalineherbs。ShehadheardmesayIwantedsalt，whichcommodity，strangetosay，wasneverusedbythenatives；andevenwhenIgavethemsomeasanexperimenttheydidnotseemtocareaboutit。Shewouldalsobringin，bywayofseasoning，akindofsmallonion，knownastheNELGA，which，whenroasted，madeaveryacceptableadditiontoourlimitedfare。Thenativesthemselveshadbuttwomealsaday——
breakfast，betweeneightandnineo”clock，andthenanenormousfeastinthelateafternoon。Theirordinaryfoodconsistedofkangaroo，emu，snakes，rats，andfish；anespecialdaintybeingawormfoundintheblackavatree，orinanydecayingtrunk。
Thesewormsweregenerallygrilledonhotstones，andeatenseveralatatimelikesmallwhitebait。Ioftenatethemmyself，andfoundthemmostpalatable。Afterbreakfastthewomenofthetribewouldgoouthuntingrootsandsnaringsmallgamefortheafternoonmeal，whilethemenwentoffontheirwarandhuntingexpeditions，oramusedthemselveswithfeatsofarms。Thechildrenweregenerallylefttotheirowndevicesinthecamp，andtheprincipalamusementoftheboysappearedtobethehurlingofreedspearsatoneanother。Thewomenbroughthometheroots(whichtheydugupwithyamsticks，generallyaboutfourfeetlong)innetsmadeoutofthestringypartsofthegrasstree；stringybark，orstrongpliablereeds，slungontheirall-enduringbacks。Theygenerallyreturnedheavilyladenbetweentwoandthreeintheafternoon。Ialwaysknewthetimeprettyaccuratelybythesun，butIlostcountofthedays。Themonths，however，Ialwaysreckonedbythemoon，andforeachyearImadeanotchontheinsideofmybow。
Myownfoodwasusuallywrappedinpalmleavesbeforebeingplacedinthesandoven。Ofcoursetheleavesalwaysburned，buttheykeptthemeatfreefromsand；andmyindefatigablewifewasalwaysexercisingheringenuitytoprovidemewithfreshdainties。Inadditiontotheordinaryfareofthenatives，Ifrequentlyhadwildducksandturkeys，and——whatwasperhapsthegreatestluxuryofall——eggs，whichthenativessentforspeciallyonmyaccounttodistantpartsofthesurroundingcountry，andalsototheislandsofthecoastwherewhitecockatoosrearedtheiryounginrockycliffs。
AtthetimeofmyshipwreckIhadlittleornoknowledgeofAustraliangeography，sothatIwasutterlyatalossastomyposition。Iafterwardslearnt，however，thatYamba”shomewasonCambridgeGulf，ontheNNW。coastoftheAustraliancontinent，andthatthecentralpointofourcampinggroundatthistimewasnearthemouthoftheVictoriaRiver，whichflowsintoQueen”sChannel。
Almosteveryeveningtheblackswouldholdastatelycorroboree，singingandchanting；theburdenoftheirsongbeingalmostinvariablymyself，mybelongings，andmyprowess——whichlatter，I
fear，wasmagnifiedinthemostextravagantmanner。Besidesthecorroboreetheyalsowouldassembleforwhatmightnotinaptlybetermedeveningprayers，whichconsistedofapoeticalrecitaloftheeventsoftheday。IoughttomentionthatatfirstIdidnotaccompanythemenontheirexcursionsabroad，becauseIwasfarfromperfectintheirlanguage；andfurthermore，Iwasnotskilledinhuntingorinbushlore。Therefore，fearfulofexcitingridicule，IdecidedtoremainbehindinthecampuntilIwasthoroughlygroundedineverythingtherewastobelearned。
Supposing，forexample，Ihadgoneoutwiththeblacks，andhadtoconfessmyselftiredaftertrampingseveralmiles。Well，thiskindofthingwouldcertainlyhaveengenderedcontempt；andoncethemysteriouswhitestrangerwasfoundtobefullofthefrailtiesoftheordinaryman，hisprestigewouldbegone，andthenlifewouldprobablybecomeintolerable。
ThuseverythingIdidIhadtoexcelin，anditwasabsolutelynecessarythatIshouldbeperpetually“astonishingthenatives，“
inthemostliteralsenseofthephrase。Accordingly，forthenextfewweeks，Iusedtoaccompanythewomenontheirroot-huntingandrat-catchingexpeditions，andfromthemIpickedupmuchvaluableinformation。
Thecorroboreewas，perhaps，thegreatestinstitutionknowntotheblacks，who，obligedtodonorealwork，asweunderstandit，simplyhadtopassthetimesomehow；andtherecanbenodoubtthat，wereitnotfortheconstantfeudsandconsequentincessantwars，theracewouldgreatlydeteriorate。Thecorroboreeafterasuccessfulbattlecommencedwithacannibalfeastoffthebodiesoffallenfoes，anditwouldbekeptupforseveraldaysonend，thebraveslyingdowntosleepnearthefiretowardsmorning，andrenewingthefestivitiesaboutnoonnextday。Thechiefsontheseoccasionsdeckedthemselveswithgorgeouscockatoofeathers，andpaintedtheirbodieswithredandyellowochreandotherglaringpigments，eachtribehavingitsowndistinguishingmarks。Acoupleofhoursweregenerallyspentindressingandpreparingfortheceremony，andthenthegaily-decoratedfighting-menwoulddanceorsquatroundthefiresandchantmonotonoussongs，tellingofalltheirownachievementsandvalour，andtheextraordinarysightstheyhadseenintheirtravels。
Thewordsofthesongswereusuallycomposedbytheclan”sownpoet，whomadealivingsolelybyhisprofession，andevensoldhiseffusionstoothertribes。Astherewasnowrittenlanguagethepurchaserwouldsimplybecoachedorallybythevendorpoet；andastheblacksweregiftedwithmostmarvellousmemories，theywouldtransmitandresellthesongsthroughoutvaststretchesofcountry。
Thesemenofthenorth-westwereofmagnificentstature，andpossessedgreatpersonalstrength。Theywereabletowalkextraordinarydistances，andtheircarriagewasthemostgracefulI
haveeverseen。Manyofthemwereoversixfeethigh，wellmadeinproportionandwithhighbroadforeheads——altogetheraverydifferentracefromtheinhabitantsofCentralAustralia。Oneoftheirfavouritetestsofstrengthwastotakeashortstickofveryhardwoodandbenditintheirhands，usingthethumbsaslevers，tillitsnapped。Strangetosay，Ifailedtobendthestickmorethanaquarterofaninch。Thewomenarenotveryprepossessing，andnotnearlysogracefulintheirbearingandgaitasthemen。
Poorcreatures！theydidallthehardworkofthecamp-building，food-hunting，waiting，andserving。Occasionally，however，themendidcondescendtogooutfishing，andtheywouldalsoorganiseBATTUESwhenabigsupplyoffoodwaswanted。Thesegreathunting-
parties，bytheway，werearrangedonanimmensescale，andfirefiguredlargelyinthem。Theusualroutinewastosetfiretothebush，andthenastheterrifiedanimalsandreptilesrushedoutinthousandsintotheopen，eachpartyofblacksspearedeverylivingthingthatcameitswaywithinacertainsphere。Theroarofthefast-spreadingfire，thethousandsofkangaroos，opossums，rats，snakes，iguanas，andbirdsthatdashedhitherandthither，totheaccompanimentofbewilderingshoutsfromthemenandshrillscreechesfromthewomen，whooccasionallyassisted，flittinghitherandthitherlikeeeriewitchesamidstthedensepallofblacksmoke——allthesemadeupapicturewhichisindeliblyimprintedonmymind。
Asarule，hostsofhawksandeaglesaretobeseenflyingovertheblackman”scamp，butontheoccasionofabushfiretheyfollowitstrain，wellknowingthattheywillobtainpreyinabundance。
Withregardtothefishingparties，thesewentouteitherearlyinthemorning，soonaftersunrise，orintheevening，whenitwasquitedark。Onthelatteroccasions，themencarriedbigtorches，whichtheyheldhighintheairwithonehand，whiletheywadedoutintothewaterwiththeirspearspoised，inreadinesstoimpalethefirstbigfishtheycameacross。
WhenthespearmenDIDstrike，theiraimwasunerring，andthestrugglingfishwouldbehurledontothebeachtothepatientwomen-folk，whoweretherewaitingforthem，withtheirbignetsofgrassslungovertheirbacks。Sometimesahundredmenwouldbeintheshallowwateratonce，allcarryingblazingtorches，andtheeffectasthefishermenplungedandsplashedthiswayandthat，withshoutsoftriumphordisappointment，maybebetterimaginedthandescribed。Inthedaytimearatherdifferentmethodwasadopted。SomeacresoftheshallowlagoonwouldbestakedoutatlowwaterintheshapeofaninvertedV，anopeningbeingleftforthefishtopassthrough。
Thehightidebroughtthefishinvastshoals，andthentheopeningwouldbeclosed。Whenthetidereceded，thestakedenclosurebecame，ineffect，agiganticnet，filledwithflounderingfish，bigandlittle。Thenativesthenwadedintotheinclosure，andleisurelydespatchedthefishwiththeirspears。
Nothingwasmoreinterestingthantowatchoneofthesechildrenofthebushstalkingakangaroo。Themanmadenottheslightestnoiseinwalking，andhewouldstealthilyfollowthekangaroo”strackformiles(thetrackswereabsolutelyinvisibletotheuninitiated)。
Shouldatlengththekangaroosniffataintedwind，orbestartledbyanincautiousmovement，hispursuerwouldsuddenlybecomeasrigidasabronzefigure，andhecouldremaininthispositionforhours。Finally，whenwithinthirtyorfortyyardsoftheanimal，helaunchedhisspear，andinalltheyearsIwasamongthesepeopleIneverknewamantomisshisaim。Twodistinctkindsofspearswereusedbythenatives，oneforhuntingandtheotherforwarpurposes。Theformeraveragedfromeighttotenfeet，whilstthelattervariedfromtentofourteenfeetinlength；thebladeineachcase，however，consistingeitherofboneorstone，withashaftofsomelighthardwood。Metalswere，ofcourse，perfectlyunknownasworkablematerials。Thewar-spearwasnothurledjavelin-fashionlikethehunting-spear，butpropelledbymeansofawommerah，which，inreality，wasakindofsling，perhapstwenty-
fourincheslong，withahookatoneendtofixontheshaftofthespear。Incampthemenmainlyoccupiedtheirtimeinmakingspearsandmendingtheirweapons。Theyhackedatreedownandsplititintolongsectionsbymeansofwedges，inordertogetsuitablewoodfortheirspear-shafts。
Tocatchemusthehunterswouldconstructlittlesheltersofgrassataspotoverlookingthewater-holefrequentedbythesebirds，andtheywerethenspearedastheycamedownforwater。ThelargestemuIeversaw，bytheway，wasmorethansixfeethigh，whilstthebiggestkangarooIcameacrosswaseventallerthanthis。Snakeswerealwayskilledwithsticks，whilstbirdswerebroughtdownwiththewonderfulboomerang。
Asarule，onlysufficientfoodwasobtainedtolastfromdaytoday；butontheoccasionofoneofthebigbattuesIhavedescribedtherewouldbefoodinabundanceforaweekormore，whentherewouldbeahorridorgyofgorgingandonelongcontinuouscorroboree，untilsuppliesgaveout。
ThesportwhichImyselftookupwasdugonghunting；forIoughttohavementionedthatIbroughtaharpoonwithmeintheboat，andthismostusefularticleattractedasmuchattentionasanythingI
had。Thenativeswouldoccasionallyputtheirhandsonmytomahawkorharpoon，andneverceasedtowonderwhythemetalwassocold。
WheneverIwentoutafterdugong，accompaniedbyYamba(shewaseverwithme)，theblacksinvariablycamedownincrowdstowatchtheoperationfromthebeach。
But，youwillask，whatdidIwantwithdugong，whenIhadsomuchotherfoodathand？WellmyideawastolayinagreatstoreofdriedprovisionsagainstthetimewhenIshouldbereadytostartforcivilisationinmyboat。Ibuiltaspecialshedofboughs，inwhichIconductedmycuringoperations；myownliving-placebeingonlyafewyardsaway。ItwasbuiltquiteinEuropeanfashion，withaslopingroof。Theinteriorwasperhapstwentyfeetsquareandtenfeethigh，withasmallporchinwhichmyfirewaskeptconstantlyburning。Whenwehadcapturedadugongtheblackswouldcomerushingintotheseatomeetusanddragourcraftashore，delightedattheprospectofagreatfeast。TheonlypartofthedugongIpreservedwasthebelly，whichIcutupintostripsanddried。
Theblacksneverallowedtheirfirestogoout，andwhenevertheymovedtheircamping-ground，thewomen-folkalwaystookwiththemtheirsmoulderingfire-sticks，withwhichtheycankindleablazeinafewminutes。Veryrarely，indeed，didthewomenallowtheirfire-stickstogooutaltogether，forthiswouldentailacruelandseverepunishment。Afire-stickwouldkeepalightinasmoulderingstatefordays。Allthatthewomendidwhentheywantedtomakeitglowwastowhirlitroundintheair。Thewivesboreill-usagewiththemostextraordinaryequanimity，andneverattemptedtoparryeventhemostsavageblow。Theywouldremainmeekandmotionlessunderashowerofbrutalblowsfromathickstick，andwouldthenwalkquietlyawayandtreattheirbleedingwoundswithakindofearth。Nomatterhowcruellythewomenmightbetreatedbytheirhusbands，theyhatedsympathy，sotheirwomenfriendsalwaysleftthemalone。Itoftensurprisedmehowquicklytheblacks”
mostterriblewoundshealed；andyettheywereonlytreatedwithakindofclayandleavesofthewildrose。
Iamhereremindedofthenativedoctor。ThisfunctionarywascalledaRUI，andheeffectedmostofhiscureswithalittleshell，withwhichherubbedassiduouslyupontheaffectedpart。
Thusitwillbeseenthatthemedicaltreatmentwasaformofmassage，therubbingbeingdonefirstinadownwarddirectionandthencrosswise。Imustsay，however，thattheblackswereveryrarelytroubledwithillness，theirmostfrequentdisorderbeingusuallytheresultofexcessivegorgingwhenaparticularlyamplesupplyoffoodwasforthcoming——say，afterabigbattueoveratribalpreserve。
Inanordinarycaseofoverfeeding，themedicinemanwouldrubhispatient”sstomachwithsuchvigourasoftentodrawblood。Hewouldalsogivethesuffererakindofgrasstoeat，andthisherb，besidesclearingthesystem，alsoactedasamostmarvellousappetiser。Thecapacityofsomeofmyblackswasalmostbeyondbelief。OnegiantIhaveinmymindateawholekangaroobyhimself。Isawhimdoit。Certainlyitwasnotanexcessivelybiganimal，but，still，itwasameallargeenoughforthreeorfourstalwartmen。
Inacaseoffeverthenativesresortedtocharmstodriveawaytheevilspiritthatwassupposedtobetroublingthepatient。Theuniversalsuperstitionaboutallmaladiesisthattheyarecausedbythe“evileye，“directedagainstthesuffererbysomeenemy。
Shouldonememberofatribebestrickendownwithadisease，hisfriendsatoncecometotheconclusionthathehasbeen“pointedat“byamemberofanothertribewhoowedhimagrudge；hehas，inshort，beenbewitched，andanexpeditionispromptlyorganisedtoseekoutandpunishtheindividualinquestionandallhistribe。
Fromthisitisobviousthatwarisofprettyfrequentoccurrence。
Andnotonlyso，buteverydeathislikewisethesignalforatribalwar。Thereisnoverdictof“Deathfromnaturalcauses。”
Punitiveexpeditionsarenotorganisedintheeventofslightfeversorevenseriousillness——onlywhenthepatientdies。A
tribeIoncecameacrosssomemilesinlandwerevisitedbyaplagueofwhatInowfeelsuremusthavebeensmallpox。Thedisease，theysaid，hadbeenbroughtdownfromthecoast，andalthoughnumbersoftheblacksdied，warwasnotdeclaredagainstanyparticulartribe。
Asarule，thebodyofthedeadbraveisplaceduponaplatformerectedintheforksoftrees，andhisweaponsneatlyarrangedbelow。Then，asdecaysetin，andthebodybegantocrumbleaway，thefriendsandchiefswouldcomeandobservecertainmysticsigns，whichweresupposedtogiveinformationastowhattribeorindividualhadcausedthedeathofthedeceased。
ItmusthavebeenwithinamonthofmylandingonYamba”scountry，inCambridgeGulf，thatIwitnessedmyfirstcannibalfeast。Oneofthefighting-menhaddiedinourcamp，andaftertheusualobservationshadbeentaken，itwasdecidedthathehadbeenpointedat，andhisdeathbroughtabout，byamemberofanothertribelivingsomedistanceaway。Anexpeditionofsomehundredsofwarriorswasatoncefittedout。Theenemywasapparentlyonlytooreadyforthefray，becausethearmiespromptlymetinanopenplain，andIhadanopportunityofwitnessingtheextraordinarymethodbywhichtheAustralianblackswagewar。Oneofthemostredoubtableofourchiefssteppedforward，andexplainedthereasonofhispeople”svisitincomparativelycalmtones。Anopposingchiefrepliedtohim，andgraduallyaheatedaltercationarose，theabuserisingonacrescendoscalefortenorfifteenminutes。
Thesetwothenretired，andanothercoupleofchampionabuserssteppedforwardto“discuss“thematter。Thiskindofthingwentonforaconsiderabletime，theabusebeingofthemostappallingdescription，anddirectedmainlyagainsttheorgansoftheenemy”sbody(heart，liver，&c。)，hisancestors，“hisox，hisass，andeverythingthatwashis。”Atlength，wheneveryconceivablethinghadbeensaidthatitwaspossibletosay，thewarriorsdrewnear，andatlastsomeonethrewaspear。This，ofcourse，wasthesignalforrealaction，andinafewminutestheengagementbecamegeneral。Therewasnostrategyortacticsofanykind，everymanfightingsingle-handed。
ButtoreturntothebattleIwasdescribing。Afteraveryfewminutes”fightingtheenemywereutterlyrouted，andpromptlyturnedtailandfledfromthesceneoftheencounter，leavingbehindthem——afteralltheuproarandthefloodofvilification——
onlythreeoftheirwarriors，andthesenotdead，butonlymoreorlessbadlywounded。Quarterbeingneithergivennorexpectedinthesebattles，thethreeprostrateblackswerepromptlydespatchedbytheleaderofmytribe，thecoupdegracebeinggivenwithawaddy，orknobbedstick。Thethreebodieswerethenplacedonlittersmadeoutofspearsandgrass，andinduetimecarriedintoourowncamp。
ThereweresomanyunmistakablesignstopresagewhatwascomingthatIKNEWacannibalfeastwasabouttotakeplace。ButforobviousreasonsIdidnotprotestagainstit，nordidItakeanynoticewhatever。Thewomen(whodoalltherealwork)fellontheirknees，andwiththeirfingersscrapedthreelongtrenchesinthesand，eachaboutsevenfeetlongandthreedeep。Intoeachoftheseovenswasplacedoneofthebodiesofthefallenwarriors，andthenthetrenchwasfilledup——firstlywithstones，andthenwithsand。Ontopofallahugefirewasbuilt，andmaintainedwithgreatfiercenessforabouttwohours。Therewasgreatrejoicingduringthisperiodofcooking，andapparentlymuchpleasurableanticipationamongthetriumphantblacks。Induetimethesignalwasgiven，andtheovenslaidopenoncemore。Ilookedinandsawthatthebodieswereverymuchburnt。Theskinwascrackedinplacesandliquidfatwasissuingforth……But，perhaps，thelesssaidaboutthishorriblespectaclethebetter。
Withayell，severalwarriorsleapedintoeachtrenchandstuckspearsthroughthebig“joints。”Andthemomenttheroastedcarcassesweretakenoutofthetrenchesthewholetribeliterallyfelluponthemandtorethemlimbfromlimb。Isawmotherswithalegoranarmsurroundedbyplaintivechildren，whowerecryingfortheirportionofthefearsomedainty。
Others，whowereconsideredtohavetakenmorethantheirshare，werelikewisefallenuponandtheir“joint“subdividedandhackedtopieceswithknivesmadefromshells。Thebodieswerenotcookedallthrough，sothattheconditionofsomeoftherevellers，bothduringandaftertheorgy，maybestbelefttotheimagination。A
moreappalling，moreghastly，ormoretrulysickeningspectacleitisimpossibleforthemindofmantoconceive。Agreatcorroboreewasheldafterthefeast，but，withmygorgerisingandmybrainreeling，IcrepttomyownhumpyandtriedtoshutoutfrommymindtheshockinginfernoIhadjustbeencompelledtowitness。
Butletusleavesofearfulasubjectandconsidersomethingmoreinterestingandamusing。
CHAPTERVI
Aweirdduel——Thetragedyofthebabywhale——Myboatisdestroyed——
Atenmiles”swim——Giganticprizes——Swimminginthewhale”shead——I
makeuseofthevisitors——Afightwithanalligator——Theoldcraving——Bitterdisappointment——Mymysterious“flyingspears“——Dog-
likefidelity——Ipresentmy“card“——Thedesertofredsand。
Thewomenofthetribelivedamicablyenoughtogetherasarule，butofcoursetheyhadtheirdifferences。Theywouldquarrelaboutthemeritsanddemeritsoftheirownfamiliesandcountries；butthegreatestsourceofheartburningandtroublewastheimportationofanewwife——especiallyifshechancedtobebetterlookingthantheothers。Insuchcases，woetothecomparativelyprettywife。
Thewomencertainlyhadanovelwayofsettlingtheirdifferences。
Thetwocombatantswouldretiretosomelittledistance，armedwithONESTICKBETWEENTHEM。Theywouldthenstandfacetoface，andonewouldbendforwardmeekly，whilsttheotherdealtheratrulyterrificblowbetweentheshouldersoronthehead——notwithacaneoralightstick，beitremembered，butareallyformidableclub。
Theblow(whichwouldbeenoughtokillanordinarywhitewoman)
wouldbebornewithwonderfulfortitude，andthentheaggressorwouldhandtheclubtothewomanshehadjuststruck。
Thelatterwouldthentakeaturn；andsoitwouldgoon，turnandturnabout，untiloneoftheunfortunate，stoicalcreaturesfellbleedingandhalf-senselesstotheearth。Thethingwasmagnificentlysimple。Thewomanwhokepthersenseslongest，andremainedonherlegstotheend，wasthevictor。Therewasnokindofill-feelingaftertheseextraordinarycombats，andthewomenwouldevendressoneanother”swounds。
Inowcometoaneventofverygreatimportanceinmylife。
ElsewhereIhavespokenofmypenchantfordugonghunting。Well，onedaythissporteffectuallyputanendtoallmyprospectsofreachingcivilisationacrossthesea。Iwentforthonemorning，accompaniedbymyever-faithfulYambaandtheusualadmiringcrowdofblacks。Inafewminuteswetwowerespeedingoverthesunlitwaters，myonlyweaponbeingthesteelharpoonIhadbroughtwithmefromtheisland，andaboutfortyorfiftyfeetofmanillarope。
WhenweweresomemilesfromlandInoticedadark-lookingobjectonthesurfaceofthewateralittlewayahead。Feelingcertainitwasadugongfeedingonthewell-known“grass，“IroseandhurledmyharpoonatitwithalltheforceIcouldmuster。Nextmoment，tomyamazement，theheadofacalfwhalewasthrustagonisinglyintotheair，andnotuntilthendidIrealisewhatmannerofcreatureitwasIhadstruck。Thisbabywhalewasaboutfifteenfeetlong，andit“sounded“immediatelyonreceivingmyharpoon。
AsIhadenoughrope，orwhatIconsideredenough，Ididnotcuthimadrift。Hecameupagainpresently，lashingthewaterwithhistail，andcreatingatremendousuproar，consideringhissize。Hethendartedoffmadly，dashingthroughthewaterlikeanarrow，anddraggingourboatatsuchatremendouspaceasalmosttoswampusinthefoamingwash，thebowwaveformingakindofwalloneachside。
UptothistimeIhadnothoughtofdanger，butjustasthebabywhalehaltedIlookedround，andsawtomyhorrorthatitscolossalmotherhadjoinedheroffspring，andwasswimmingroundandrounditlikelightning，apparentlygreatlydisturbedbyitssufferings。
BeforeIcouldevencutthelineorattempttogetoutoftheway，theenormouscreaturecaughtsightofourlittlecraft，andboredownuponuslikeafair-sizedislandrushingthroughtheseawiththespeedofanexpresstrain。IshoutedtoYamba，andweboththrewourselvesoverthesideintothenowragingwaters，andcommencedtoswimawaywithlongstrokes，inordertogetasfaraspossiblefromtheboatbeforethecatastrophecamewhichweknewwasathand。WehadnotgotmanyyardsbeforeIheardaterrificcrash，and，lookingback，Isawtheenormoustailofthegreatwhaletoweringhighoutofthewater，andmypreciousboatdescendinginfragmentsuponitfromaheightoffromfifteenfeettotwentyfeetabovetheagitatedwaters。Oddlyenough，thefore-
partoftheboatremainedfixedtotheropeoftheharpooninthecalf。Myfirstthought，evenatsoterribleamoment，andinsoseriousasituation，wasoneofbitterregretforthelossofwhatIconsideredtheonlymeansofreachingcivilisation。LikeaflashitcamebacktomehowmanywearymonthsoftoilandhopeandexpectancyIhadspentoverthatdarlingcraft；andIremembered，too，thedeliriousjoyoflaunchingit，andtheappallingdismaythatstruckmewhenIrealisedthatitwasworsethanuselesstomeintheinclosedlagoon。Thesethoughtspassedthroughmymindinafewseconds。
AtthistimewehadaswimofsomeTENMILESbeforeus，butfortunatelyourpredicamentwasobservedfromtheland，andacrowdofblacksputoutintheircatamaranstohelpus。Someoftheblacks，asIhintedbefore，alwaysaccompaniedmedowntotheshoreonthesetrips。Theynevertired，Ithink，ofseeingmehandlemygiant“catamaran“andthe(tothem)mysteriousharpoon。
Afterthemotherwhalehadwreakeditsvengeanceuponmyunfortunateboatitrejoineditslittleone，andstillcontinuedtoswimroundandrounditatprodigiousspeed，evidentlyinaperfectagonyofconcern。Fortunatelythetidewasinourfavour，andwewererapidlysweptinshore，evenwhenwefloatedlistlesslyonthesurfaceofthewater。Theseawasquitecalm，andwehadnofearofsharks，beingwellawarethatwewouldkeepthemawaybysplashinginthewater。
Beforelong，thecatamaranscameupwithus，butalthoughdeeplygratefulforYamba”sandmyownsafety，Iwasstillgreatlydistressedatthelossofmyboat。Neveroncedidthisthoughtleavemymind。Iremembered，too，withapang，thatIhadnownotoolswithwhichtobuildanother；andtoventureoutintotheopenseaonacatamaran，probablyforweeks，simplymeantcourtingcertaindestruction。Iwasagreaterprisonerthanever。
Myharpoonhadevidentlyinflictedamortalwoundonthecalfwhale，becauseaswelookedwesawitlyingexhaustedonthesurfaceofthewater，andbeinggraduallysweptnearerandnearertheshorebytheswift-flowingtide。Themotherrefusedtoleaveherlittleonehowever，andstillcontinuedtowheelrounditcontinuously，evenwhenithadreacheddangerouslyshallowwater。
Theresultwasthatwhenthetideturned，boththemotherandhercalfwereleftstrandedhighanddryonthebeach，totheunboundeddelightandamazementofthenatives，whoswarmedroundtheleviathans，andsetupsuchaterrificuproar，thatIverilybelievetheyfrightenedthemothertodeath。Inherdyingstruggleshelashedthewaterintoaperfectfurywithhertail，andevenmadeattemptstoliftherselfbodilyup。Furioussmoke-signalswereatoncesentuptosummonallthetribesinthesurroundingcountry——enemiesaswellasfriends。Nextdaythecarcasseswerewashedfartherstillinshore——athingforwhichtheblacksgavemeadditionalcredit。
Ioughttomentionherethatthelossofmyboatwasinsomemeasurecompensatedforbytheenormousamountofprestigewhichaccruedtomethroughthiswhaleepisode。Tocutalongstoryshort，thenativesfullybelievedthatIHADKILLEDSINGLE-HANDED
ANDBROUGHTASHOREBOTHWHALES！Andinthecorroboreesthatensued，thepoetsalmostwentdeliriousintryingtofindsuitableeulogiumstobestowuponthemightywhitehunter。ThemotherwhalesurpassedinsizeanyIhadeverseenorreadabout。Imeasuredherlengthbypacing，andIjudgedittobenearly150feet。Mymeasurementsmaynothavebeenabsolutelyaccurate，butstillthewhalewas，Iimagine，ofrecordsize。Asshelaythereonthebeachherheadtoweredabovemetoaheightofnearlyfifteenfeet。
NevercanIforgetthescenethatfollowed，whentheblacksfromthesurroundingcountryrespondedtothesmoke-signalsannouncingthecaptureofthe“greatfish。”Fromhundredsofmilessouthcamethenatives，literallyintheirthousands——everymanprovidedwithhisstonetomahawkandawholearmouryofshellknives。Theysimplyswarmedoverthecarcasseslikevermin，andIsawmanyofthemstaggeringawayundersolidlumpsoffleshweighingbetweenthirtyandfortypounds。Thechildrenalsotookpartinthegeneralfeasting，andtheytooswarmedaboutthewhaleslikeaplagueofants。
Aparticularlyenterprisingpartyofblackscutanenormousholeintheheadofthebigwhale，andinthebathofoilthatwasinsidetheysimplywallowedforhoursatatime，onlytoemergeinaconditionthatfilledmewithdisgust。Therewasnoquestionofpriorityordisputingastowhomthetit-bitsofthewhaleshouldgo。Eventhevisitorswerequiteatlibertytotakewhateverportiontheycouldsecure。Foraboutafortnightthiscutting-upandgorgingwenton，butlongbeforethisthestenchfromthedecomposingcarcasseswassohorribleastobepainfullynoticeableatmycamp，overamileaway。Someofthefleshwascooked，butmostofitwaseatenabsolutelyraw。Thespectaclewitnessedonthebeachwouldhavebeenintenselycomicalwereitnotsorevolting。Manyofthesavages，bothmenandwomen，hadgorgedthemselvestosuchanextentastobeabsolutelyunabletowalk；
andtheyrolledaboutonthesand，tearingatthegroundinagony，theirstomachsdistendedinthemostextraordinaryanddisgustingmanner。Itmayamuseyoutoknowthatsmoke-signalswereatoncesentupforallthe“doctors“inthecountry，andtheseministeringangelscouldpresentlybeseenwiththeirmassageshells，rubbingthedistendedstomachsofthesufferersastheylayonthebeach。
Isawsomemenfairlyhowlingwithagony，butyetstilldevouringenormousquantitiesofoilandblubber！Besidesthemassagetreatment(withthethumbsaswellasshells)，the“doctors“
administeredakindofpill，orpellet，ofsomegreenleaf，whichtheyfirstchewedintheirownmouthandthenplacedinthatofthepatient。Somagicalwasthispotentherbinitsaction，thatI
feelsureitwouldmakethefortuneofanenterprisingsyndicate。
Otherpatients，whohadobtainedtemporaryreliefthroughthekindofficesofthemedicine-men，returnedtothewhalesagain，andhadanotherenormousgorge。Infact，theblacksbehavedmorelikewildbeastsofthelowestorderthanmen，andinaveryshorttime——
consideringtheenormousbulkofthewhales——nothingremainedexcepttheimmensebones。
Ontheotherhand，theorgiehaditsusesfrommypointofview，becauseItookadvantageofthearrivalofsomanystrangetribestomakemyselfacquaintedwiththeirchiefs，theirlanguages，andtheirmannersandcustoms，inthehopethatthesepeoplemightbeusefultomesomedaywhenIcommencedmyjourneyoverlandtocivilisation。For，ofcourse，allhopeofescapebyseahadnowtobeabandoned，sincemyboatwasdestroyed。Severaldayselapsed，however，beforeIwasabletoremainintheirpresencewithoutafeelingofutterdisgust。Tobeprecise，Icouldnottalktothembeforetheyate，becausetheyweresoanxioustogetatthefood；
andafterthefeasttheyweretoogorgedwithfattobeabletotalkrationally。InallmywanderingsamongsttheblacksInevercameacrossanythingthatinterestedthemsomuchasawhale。
Soonafterthelossoftheboat，Yambamademeasmallbarkcanoeaboutfifteenfeetlong，butnotmorethanfourteenincheswide，andinthisweundertookvariouslittleexcursionstogethertothevariousislandsthatstuddedthebay。Theconstructionofthislittlecanoewasveryinteresting。Yamba，firstofall，heatedthebark，andthenturnedtheroughpartunderneathinorderthattheinteriormightbeperfectlysmooth。ShethenSEWEDuptheends，finallygivingthelittlecraftacoatofresin，obtainedbymakingincisionsinthegum-trees。Ofcourse，Imissedmyownsubstantialboat，anditwassomelittletimebeforeIgrewaccustomedtothefrailcanoe，whichnecessitatedthegreatestpossiblecareinhandling，andalsoonthepartofthepassengersgenerally。
OnedayIdecidedtogoandexploreoneoftheislandsthatstuddedCambridgeGulf，insearchofakindofshellmud-fishwhichIwasverypartialto。IalsowantedtomaketheacquaintanceofthebatsorflyingfoxesIhadseenrisingincloudseveryeveningatsunset。Irequiredtheskinsofthesecuriouscreaturesforsandals。Thiswouldperhapsbeayearaftermyadventamongsttheblacks。Asusual，Yambawasmyonlycompanion，andwesoonreachedalikelyisland。AsIcouldfindnosuitableplaceforlanding，I
turnedthecanoeupasmallcreek。Fromthiscourse，however，mycompanionstronglydissuadedme。Intothecreek，nevertheless，wewent，andwhenIsawitwasahopelessimpasse，Iscrambledashoreandwadedthroughfiveinchesorsixinchesofmud。Thelittleislandwasdenselycoveredwithluxurianttropicalvegetation，themangrovescomingrightdowntothewater”sedge；sothatIhadactuallytoforcemywaythroughthemtogainthetopofthebank。
Ithenenteredaverynarrowtrackthroughtheforest，thebushonbothsidesbeingsodenseastoresembleanimpenetrablewallordensehedge。Itisnecessarytobearthisinmindtorealisewhatfollowed。Ihadnotgonemanyyardsalongthistrack，whenIwashorrifiedtosee，rightinfrontofme，anenormousalligator！
Thisgreatreptilewasshufflingalongdownthepathtowardsme，evidentlymakingforthewater，anditnotonlyblockedmyadvance，butalsonecessitatedmyimmediateretreat。Themomentthebrutecaughtsightofmehestopped，andbegansnappinghisjawsviciously。IconfessIwasquitenonplussedforthemomentastohowbesttocommencetheattackuponthisunexpectedvisitor。Itwasimpossibleformetogetroundhiminanyway，onaccountofthedensebushoneithersideofthenarrowforesttrack。I
decided，however，tomakeabolddashforvictory，havingalwaysinmindtheprestigethatwassonecessarytomyexistenceamongtheblacks。Ithereforewalkedstraightuptotheevil-lookingmonster；then，takingashortrun，Ileapedhighintotheair，shotoverhishead，andlandedonhisscalyback，atthesametimegivingatremendousyellinordertoattractYamba，whomIhadleftinchargeoftheboat。
ThemomentIlandedonhisbackIstruckthealligatorwithallmyforcewithmytomahawk，onwhatIconsideredthemostvulnerablepartofhishead。Sopowerfulwasmystroke，thatIfoundtomydismaythatIcouldnotgettheweaponoutofhisheadagain。
WhileIwasinthisextraordinarysituation——standingonthebackofanenormousalligator，andtuggingatmytomahawk，embeddedinitshead——Yambacamerushingupthepath，carryingoneofthepaddles，which，withoutamoment”shesitation，shethrustdownthealligator”sthroatasheturnedtosnapather。Sheimmediatelyletgoherholdandretreated。Thealligatortriedtofollowher，buttheshaftofthepaddlecaughtamongsometreetrunksandstuck。Inthiswaythemonsterwaspreventedfrommovinghishead，eitherbackwardsorforwards，andthen，drawingmystiletto，I
blindedhiminbotheyes，afterwardsfinishinghimleisurelywithmytomahawk，whenatlengthImanagedtoreleaseit。Yambawasimmenselyproudofmeafterthisachievement，andwhenwereturnedtothemainlandshegavehertribesmenagraphicaccountofmygallantryandbravery。Butshealwaysdidthis。Shewasmyadvanceagentandbill-poster，sotosay。Ifoundingoingintoanewcountrythatmyfamehadprecededme；andImustsaythiswasmostconvenientandusefulinobtaininghospitality，concessions，andassistancegenerally。ThepartIhadplayedinconnectionwiththedeathofthetwowhaleshadalreadyearnedformetheadmirationoftheblacks——notonlyinmyowntribe，butallovertheadjacentcountry。Andafterthisencounterwiththealligatortheylookeduponmeasaverygreatandpowerfulpersonageindeed。
Wedidnotbringthedeadmonsterbackwithus，butnextdayanumberoftheblackswentoverwiththeircatamarans，andtowedthereptilebacktothemainland，whereitwasviewedwithopen-mouthedamazementbycrowdsofadmiringnatives。Sogreatwastheestimationinwhichmyprowesswasheld，thatlittlescrapsofthedeadalligatorweredistributed(asrelics，presumably)amongthetribesthroughoutthewholeofthesurroundingcountry。Singularlyenoughthislastachievementofminewasconsideredmuchmorecommendablethanthekillingofthewhale，forthesimplereasonthatitsometimeshappenedtheycaughtawhalethemselvesstrandedonthebeach；whereasthekillingofanalligatorwiththeirprimitiveweaponswasafeatneverattempted。Theychantedpraisesinmyhonouratnight，andwhereverImoved，myperformanceswiththewhalesandalligatorwerealwaysthefirstthingstobesung。
NordidIattempttodepreciatemyachievements；onthecontrary，I
exaggeratedthefactsasmuchasIpossiblycould。IdescribedtothemhowIhadfoughtandkilledthewhalewithmystilettoinspiteofthefactthatthemonsterhadsmashedmyboat。ItoldthemthatIwasnotafraidoffacinganythingsingle-handed，andI
evenwentsofarastoallegethatIwasgoodenoughtogooutagainstanation！Mywholeobjectwastoimpressthesepeoplewithmyimaginarygreatness，andIconstantlymadethemmarvelatmyprowesswiththebowandarrow。Thefactofmybeingabletobringdownabirdonthewingwasnothingmorenorlessthanamiracletothem。Iwasgiventhenameof“Winnimah“bythesepeople，becausemyarrowsspedlikelightning。Sixofthealligator”steethItookformyself，andmadethemintoacircletwhichIworeroundmyhead。
SomelittletimeafterthisincidentIdecidedtoremovemydwelling-placetothetopofaheadlandontheothersideofthebay，sometwentymilesaway，whereIthoughtIcouldmorereadilydiscernanysailpassingbyoutatsea。Theblacksthemselves，whowerewellawareofmyhopesofgettingbacktomyownpeople，hadthemselvessuggestedthatImightfindthisamorelikelyplaceforthepurposethanthelow-lyingcoastonwhichtheirtribewasthenencamped。Theyalsopointedouttome，however，thatIshouldfinditcoldlivinginsoexposedaposition。Butthehopeofseeingpassingsailsdecidedme，andonemorningItookmydeparture，thewholenationofblackscomingoutinfullforcetobidusadieu。I
thinkthelastthingtheyimpresseduponme，intheirpeculiarnativeway，wasthattheywouldalwaysbedelightedandhonouredtowelcomemebackamongthem。Yamba，ofcourse，accompaniedme，asalsodidmydog，andwewereescortedacrossthebaybyahostofmynativefriendsintheircatamarans。Ipitcheduponafineboldspotforourdwelling-place，buttheblacksassuredmethatwewouldfindituncomfortablycoldandwindy，tosaynothingabouttheloneliness，whichIcouldnotbutfeelaftersomuchintercoursewiththefriendlynatives。Ipersisted，however，andweatlengthpitchedourencampment，onthebleakheadland，whichI
nowknowtobeCapeLondonderry，thehighestnorthernpointofWesternAustralia。Occasionallysomeofourblackfriendswouldpayusavisit，butwecouldneverinducethemtolocatetheirvillagenearus。
