ThecampdescribedbymyinformantIfoundtobeamerecollectionofgunyahs，orbreak-winds，madeofboughs，andIatoncepresentedmy“card“——theubiquitepassportstick；whichneverleftmeforamomentinallmywanderings。Thisstickwassenttothechief，whoimmediatelymanifestedtokensoffriendshiptowardsme。
Unfortunately，however，hespokeanentirelydifferentdialectfromYamba”s；butbymeansofthesignlanguageIexplainedtohimthatIwishedtostaywithhimforafew“sleeps“(handheldtothesideofthehead，withfingersfornumbers)，andpartakeofhishospitality。Tothishereadilyconsented。
Now，Iknewenoughofthecustomsoftheblackstorealisethat，beingastrangeramongthem，theywouldonrequestprovidemewithadditionalwivesduringmystay，——entirelyasamatterofceremonialetiquette；anditsuddenlyoccurredtomethatImightmakeverygooduseofthiscustombyputtinginanimmediatedemandforthetwowhitewomen——iftheyexisted。Yousee，Iwantedaninterviewwiththem，inthefirstplace，toarrangethebestmeansofgettingthemaway。IconfessIwasconsumedwithanintensecuriositytolearntheirhistory——eventoseethem。Iwonderediftheycouldtellmeanythingofthegreatworldnowsoremoteinmymind。Asamatterofcourtesy，however，Ispentthegreaterpartofthedaywiththechief，foranymanwhomanifestsadesireforwomen”ssocietylosescasteimmediately；andintheevening，whenthefactofmypresenceamongthetribehadbecomemoreextensivelyknown，andtheircuriosityarousedbythestoriesthatYambahadtakencaretocirculate，Iattendedagreatcorroboree，whichlastednearlythewholeofthenight。AsIwassittingnearabigfire，joininginthechantingandfestivities，Yambanoiselesslystoletomyside，andwhisperedinmyearthatSHEHADFOUNDTHE
TWOWHITEWOMEN。
IrememberItrembledwithexcitementattheprospectofmeetingthem。Theywereveryyoung，Yambaadded，andspoke“my“language——
Ineversaid“English，“becausethiswordwouldhaveconveyednothingtoher；andshealsotoldmethattheprisonerswereinadreadfulstateofmisery。Itwasnextexplainedtomethatthegirls，accordingtonativecustom，weretheabsolutepropertyofthechief。Hewasseatednotveryfarawayfromme，andwascertainlyoneofthemostferociousandrepulsive-lookingcreaturesIhaveevercomeacross，——evenamongtheblacks。Hewasoversixfeethigh，andofratheralightercomplexionthanhisfellows，——
almostlikeaMalay。Thetopofhisheadrecededinaverycuriousmanner，whilstthemouthandlowerpartofthefacegenerallyprotrudedlikeanalligator”s，andgavehimatrulydiabolicalappearance。Iconfessathrillofhorrorpassedthroughme，asI
realisedthattwodoubtlesstenderlyrearedEnglishgirlswereintheclutchesofthismonster。OnceIthoughtImusthavebeendreaming，andthatthememoriesofsomeoldstory-bookIhadreadyearsagowerefillingmymindwithsomefantasticdelusion。ForamomentIpicturedtomyselfthefeelingsoftheirprosaicBritishrelatives，couldtheyonlyhaveknownwhathadbecomeofthelong-
lostlovedones——afatemoreshockingandmorefearfulthananyeverconceivedbythewriteroffiction。Ofcourse，myreaderswillunderstandthatmuchdetailaboutthefateofthesepoorcreaturesmustbesuppressedforobviousreasons。Butshouldanyexistingrelativesturnup，IshallbeonlytoohappytoplaceattheirdisposalalltheinformationIpossess。
Presently，Igraspedthewholeterribleaffair，andrealiseditasabsolutefact！Myfirstimpulsewastoleapfromthecorroboreeandgoandreassuretheunhappyvictimsinperson，tellingthematthesametimethattheymightcountonmyassistancetothelast。
Itwasnotadvisable，however，towithdrawsuddenlyfromthefestivities，forfearmyabsencemightarousesuspicion。
Theonlyalternativethatpresenteditselfwastosendanoteormessageofsomekindtothem，andsoIaskedYambatobringmealargefleshyleafofawater-lily，andthen，withoneofherboneneedles，Ipricked，inprintedEnglishcharacters，“AFRIENDIS
NEAR；FEARNOT。”HandingthisoriginallettertoYamba，I
instructedhertogiveittothegirlsandtellthemtoholditupbeforethefireandreadtheperforations。Thisdone，Ireturnedtothecorroboree，stilldisplayingafeignedenthusiasmfortheproceedings，butdetermineduponaboldandresolutecourseofaction。Imustsaythough，thatatthatparticularmomentIwasnotverysanguineofgettingthegirlsawayoutofthepowerofthissavage，whohaddoubtlesswonthemfromsomeofhisfellowsbymoreorlessfairfighting。
Imademywayovertowherethechiefwassquatting，andgazedathimlongandsteadily。Irememberhisappearanceasthoughitwerebutyesterdaythatwemet。IthinkIhavealreadysaidhewasthemostrepulsive-lookingsavageIhaveevercomeacross，evenamongtheAustralianblacks。Thecuriousraisedscarswereuponthisparticularchiefbothlargeandnumerous。Thiscuriousformofdecoration，bytheway，isaverypainfulbusiness。Thegeneralpracticeistomaketransversecutswithasharpshell，orstoneknife，onthechest，thighs，andsometimesonthebackandshoulders。Ashesandeartharethenrubbedintoeachcut，andthewoundislefttoclose。Nextcomesanextremelypainfulgatheringandswelling，andalittlelatertheearththatisinsideisgraduallyremoved——sometimeswithafeather。Whenthewoundsfinallyhealup，eachcicatricestandsoutlikearaisedweal，andoftheseextraordinarymarkstheblacksareinordinatelyproud。
Buttoreturntothechiefwhoownedthegirls。Imustsaythat，apartfromhisawfulandobviouslystubbornface，hewasamagnificentlyformedsavage。
Icommencedtheconversationwithhimbysaying，Ipresumedtheusualcourtesyofprovidingawifewouldbeextendedtomeduringmystay。AsIanticipated，hereadilyacquiesced，andIinstantlyfolloweduptheconcessionbycalmlyremarkingthatIshouldliketohavethetwowhitewomenwhowereinthecampsentovertomy“littleplace。”Tothissuggestionhegaveapoint-blankrefusal。
Ipersisted，however，andtauntedhimwithdeliberatelybreakingtheinviolablerulesofcourtesy；andatlengthhegavemetounderstandhewouldthinkthematterover。
AllthistimeYambahadbeenasbusyasashowmanoutWest。Shehadfollowedwithunusualvigourhercustomaryroleof“advanceagent，“andhadspreadmostridiculouslyexaggeratedreportsofmysupernaturalprowessandmagicalattributes。IcontrolledthedenizensofSpiritland，andcouldcallthemupinthousandstotormenttheblacks。Icontrolledtheelements；andwasinshortall-powerful。
Imustadmitthatthisenergeticandsystematic“puffing“didagreatdealofgood，andwhereverwewentIwaslookeduponasasortofwizard，entitledtoverygreatrespect，andthebestofeverythingthatwasgoing。
Foralongtimethetribalchiefpersistedinhisoppositiontomyrequestforthegirls；butasmostofhiswarriorswereinmyfavour(Ihadgivenmanyappallingdemonstrationsinthebushatnight)，Iknewhewouldsubmitsoonerorlater。Thebigcorroboreelastedallnight，andatlength，beforeweseparatedonthesecondday，thegreatmangaveway——withexceedinglybadgrace。Ofcourse，Ididnotdisturbthegirlsatthathour，butnextdayI
toldYambatogoandseethemandarrangeforaninterview。Shecamebackprettysoon，andthenundertooktoguidemetotheir“abode。”Theprospectofmeetingwhitepeopleoncemore——eventhesetwopoorunfortunates——threwmeintoastrangeexcitement，inthemidstofwhichIquiteforgotmyownastonishingappearance，whichwasfarmorelikethatofagailydecoratedandgorgeouslypaintednativechiefthanacivilisedEuropean。ForitmustberememberedthatbythistimeIhadlongagodiscardedallclothing，exceptanapronofemufeathers，whilstmyskinwasextremelydarkandmyhairhungdownmybackfullythreefeet，andwasbuiltupinasurprisingwayintimesofwarandcorroboree。
IfollowedYambathroughthecamp，gettingmoreandmoreexcitedasweapproachedthegirls”domicile。Atlengthshestoppedatthebackofacrescent-shapedbreak-windofboughs，andamomentlater——
eager，trembling，andalmostspeechless——IstoodbeforethetwoEnglishgirls。Lookingbacknow，Iremembertheypresentedatrulypitiablespectacle。Theywerehuddledtogetheronthesandyground，naked，andlockedinoneanother”sarms。Beforethemburnedafire，whichwastendedbythewomen。Bothlookedfrightfullyemaciatedandterrified——somuchso，thatasIwritethesewordsmyheartbeatsfasterwithhorrorasIrecalltheterribleimpressiontheymadeuponme。Astheycaughtsightofme，theyscreamedaloudinterror。Iretiredalittlewaydiscomfited，rememberingsuddenlymyownfantasticappearance。Ofcourse，theythoughtIwasanotherblackfellowcomingtotorturethem。Allkindsofextraordinaryreflectionsflashedthroughmymindatthatmoment。WhatwouldpeopleinmybelovedFrance，Iwondered——oramongmySwissmountains，orinstatelyEngland——thinkofthefatethathadovertakenthesegirls——afatethatwouldinfalliblyreadmorelikeextravagantandevenoffensivefictionthanreal，heart-
rendingfact？
Iwentbackandstoodbeforethegirls，saying，reassuringly，“Ladies，Iamawhitemanandafriend；andifyouwillonlytrustinmeIthinkIcansaveyou。”
Theiramazementatthislittlespeechknewnobounds，andoneofthegirlsbecamequitehysterical。IcalledYamba，andintroducedherasmywife，andtheythencameforwardandclaspedmebythehand，crying，shudderingly，“Oh，saveus！Takeusawayfromthatfearfulbrute。”
IhastilyexplainedtothemthatitwassolelybecauseIhadresolvedtosavethemthatIhadventuredintothecamp；buttheywouldhavetowaitpatientlyuntilcircumstancesfavouredmyplansfortheirescape。Ididnotconcealfromthemthatmybeingabletotakethemawayatallwasextremelyproblematical；forIcouldseethattohaveraisedfalsehopeswouldhaveendedinrealdisaster。Graduallytheybecamequieterandmorereasonable——andmypositionobviouslymoreembarrassing。Iquicklytoldthemthat，atanyrate，solongasIremainedinthecamp，theyneednotfearanyfurthervisitsfromthegiantchieftheydreadedsomuch，andwiththisreassuranceIwalkedswiftlyaway，followedbyYamba。
Thelawsofnativehospitalityabsolutelyforbadeanyonetointerferewiththegirlsduringmystay，so，easyinmymind，I
madestraightfortheextensiveswampswhichIknewlayafewmilesfromthecamp。InthiswildandpicturesqueplaceIbroughtdown，withYamba”sassistance，agreatnumberofcockatoos，turkeys，andotherwildfowl，whichbirdswerepromptlyskinned，mywifeandI
havinginviewalittleamateurtailoringwhichshouldrendermyfutureinterviewswiththegirlsalittlelessembarrassing。Asamatteroffact，Ihandedoverthebird-skinstoYamba，andshe，withherboneneedlesandthreadsofkangaroosinews，soonmadeacoupleofextraordinarybutmostserviceablegarments，whichweimmediatelytookbacktothepoorgirls，whowereshiveringwithcoldandneglect。Iatoncesawthereasonofmostoftheirsuffering。
Theirownclothinghadapparentlybeenlostordestroyed，andthenativewomen，jealousoftheattentionwhichthechiefwasbestowinguponthenewcomers，gavethemlittleornofood。Nordidthejealouswivesinstructtheinterlopersintheanointingoftheirbodieswiththatpeculiarkindofclaywhichformssoeffectiveaprotectionalikeagainsttheburningheatofthesun，thetreacherouscoldofthenight-winds，andthepainfulattacksofinsects。AlltheinformationIcouldelicitfromthegirlsthateveningwasthefactthattheyhadbeenshipwrecked，andhadalreadybeencaptiveamongtheblacksforthreeandahalfmonths。
Theeldergirlfurthersaidthattheywerenotallowedtheirliberty，becausetheyhadonseveraloccasionstriedtoputanendtotheirindescribablesufferingsbycommittingsuicide。Anythingmoreextraordinarythanthecostumeswemadeforthegirlsyouneversaw。Theywerenotofelaboratedesign，beingoftheshapeofalongsack，withholesforthearmsandneck；andtheyafterwardsshrankinthemostabsurdway。
CHAPTERX
MissRogersbeginsherstory——Aninterviewonthehighseas——
Driftingtodestruction——Theshipdisappears——Torturedbythirst——A
fearfulsight——Cannibalsonthewatch——Theblacksquarreloverthegirls——Courtingstarvation——Yambagoesforhelp——Astartlingannouncement——Preparationsforthefight——Anxiousmoments——Aweirdsituation”Victory，victory“——Amelodramaticattitude——Thegirlsgetsorefeet。
Atournextinterview，thankstoYamba”sgoodoffices，bothgirlswerelookingverymuchbetterthanwhenIfirstsawthem；andthen，consumedwithnaturalcuriosityandagreatdesiretolearnsomethingoftheoutsideworld，Ibeggedthemtotellmetheirstory。
ThefirstthingIlearntwasthattheyweretwosisters，namedBlancheandGladysRogers，theirrespectiveagesbeingnineteenandseventeenyears。Bothgirlswereextremelypretty，theparticularattractionaboutGladysbeingherlovelyvioleteyes。ItwasBlanchewho，withmuchhystericalemotion，toldmethestoryoftheirpainfulexperience，Gladysoccasionallypromptinghersisterwithafewinterpolatedwords。
Here，then，isBlancheRogers”sstory，toldasnearlyaspossibleinherownwords。OfcourseitisabsurdtosupposethatIcanreproduceverbatimthefearfulstorytoldbytheunfortunategirl。
“MysisterandIarethedaughtersofCaptainRogers，whocommandeda700-tonbarqueownedbyouruncle。”[Iamnotabsolutelycertainwhetherthegirlswerethedaughtersofthecaptainortheowner——
L。deR。]“Wewerealwaysveryanxious，evenaschildren，toaccompanyourdearfatherononeofhislongtrips，andatlengthweinducedhimtotakeuswithhimwhenhesetsailfromSunderland[notcertain，this]intheyear1868[or1869]，withamiscellaneouscargoboundforBatavia[orSingapore]。Thevoyageoutwasaverypleasantone，butpracticallywithoutincident——
although，ofcourse，fullofinteresttous。Theshipdeliveredherfreightinduecourse，butourfatherfailedtoobtainareturncargototakebackwithhimtoEngland。Now，asacargoofsomekindwasnecessarytocleartheexpensesofthevoyage，fatherdecidedtomakeforPortLouis，inMauritius，toseewhathecoulddoamongthesugar-exportersthere。
“OnthewaytoPortLouis，wesuddenlysightedashipflyingsignalsofdistress。Weatoncehovetoandaskedwhatassistancewecouldrender。Aboatpresentlyputofffromthedistressedvessel，andthecaptain，whocameaboard，explainedthathehadrunshortofprovisionsandwantedafreshsupply——nomatterhowsmall——
totidehimoverhisdifficulty。Hefurtherstatedthathisvesselwasladenwithguano，andwasalsoenrouteforPortLouis。
Thetwocaptainshadalongconversationtogether，inthecourseofwhichanarrangementwasarrivedatbetweenthem。
“Wesaidwewereinballast，searchingforfreight，whereuponourvisitorsaid：”Whydon”tyoumakefortheLacepedeIslands，offthenorth-westAustraliancoast，andloadguano，whichyoucangettherefornothing？”Wesaidwedidnotpossessthenecessaryrequisitesintheshapeofshovels，sacks，punts，wheel-barrows，andthelike。Thesewerepromptlysuppliedbytheothercaptaininpartpaymentfortheprovisionswelethimhave。Thusthingswereeventuallyarrangedtotheentiresatisfactionofbothparties，andthentheAlexandria(Ithinkthatwasthenameoftheship)
proceededonherwaytoPortLouis，whilstwedirectedourcoursetotheLacepedeIslands。
“Induetimewereachedaguanoislet，andthecrewquicklygottowork，withtheresultthatinaveryshorttimewehadasubstantialcargoonboard。Adayortwobeforewewereduetoleave，wewenttofatherandtoldhimwewantedverymuchtospendaneveningontheislandtovisittheturtle-breedingground。Poorfather，indulgentalways，allowedustogoashoreinaboat，underthecareofeightmen，whoweretodoalittleclearing-upwhilsttheywerewaitingforus。Wefound，asyoumaysuppose，agreatdealtointerestusontheisland，andthetimepassedalltooquickly。Thebigturtlescameupwiththefulltide，andatoncemadenestsforthemselvesonthebeachbyscrapingoutwiththeirhind-flippersaholeaboutteninchesdeepandfiveinchesindiameter。Thecreaturesthensimplylayovertheseholesanddroppedtheireggsintothem。Welearnedthatthenumberofeggslaidatonesittingvariesfromtwelveuptoforty。Wehadgreatfunincollectingtheeggsandgenerallyplayingwiththeturtles。
Iamafraidwegotoutofsightofthemen，anddidnotnoticethattheweathershoweddecidedsignsofasuddenchange。Whenatlengththecrewfoundusitwaspastmidnight——thoughnotverydark；andthoughweoughttohavebeenmakingpreparationsforreturningtotheship，itwasblowinghard。Onaccountofthis，thecrewsaidtheydidnotconsideritadvisabletolaunchtheboat；andaswehadourbigcloakswithus，itwasdecidedtoremainontheislandallnighttoseeiftheweatherimprovedbythemorning。Ourshipwasanchoredfullythreemilesaway，outsidethereefs，anditwouldhavebeenimpossible，intheseathatwasrunning，topullouttoher。Therewasonlyonewhitemanamongourprotectors，andhewasaScotchman。Themenmadeafireinamoreorlessshelteredspot，androundthiswesquatted，themenoutsideus，soastoaffordusgreaterprotectionfromthestorm。
Inthiswaythewholenightpassed，principallyintellingstoriesofadventurebyseaandland。Weallhopedthatbymorningatanyratethewindwouldhaveabated；butatdaybreak，aswelookedanxiouslyoutoverthetempestuoussea，itwasblowingashardasever；andbyteno”clockthestormhadincreasedtoaterrificgale。Ourmenunanimouslydeclaredtheydarednotattempttoreachtheshipintheirsmallboat，althoughwecouldseethevesselplainlyridingatheroldanchorage。WhatfollowedGladysandI
gatheredafterwards，justbeforethedreadfulthinghappened。Wewereallsafeenoughonland，but，itbecameevidenttothesailorswithusthattheshipcouldnotweatherthestormunlesssheweighedanchorandstoodouttosea。Thecrewwatchedwitheagereyestoseewhatmyfatherwoulddo。Manifestlyhewasintoomuchdistressofmindaboutustogorightaway，andIsupposehepreferredtotrusttothestrengthofhiscables：
“Shortlyafterteno”clockinthemorning，however，theshipbegantodragheranchors，andinspiteofallthatcouldbedonebymyfatherandhisofficers，theshapelylittlevesselgraduallydriftedontothecoralreefs。AllthistimeGladysandI，quiteignorantofseamanshipandeverythingpertainingtoit，werewatchingthedoomedship，andfromtimetotimeaskedanxiouslywhatwasthemeaningofalltheexcitement。Themenreturnedusevasiveanswers，likethekind-heartedfellowstheywere，andcheeredusupineverypossibleway。Presentlyweheardsignalsofdistress(onlywedidn”tknowtheyweresignalsofdistressthen)，andourcompanionssawthatthecaptainrealisedonlytoowellhisterriblydangerousposition。Itwas，however，utterlyimpossibleforthemtohaverenderedhimanyassistance。Therainwasnowdescendinginsheets，lashingthegiantwaveswithacurioushissingsound。Theskywasgloomyandovercast，andaltogethertheoutlookwasaboutasterribleasitcouldwellbe。Presentlywebecamedreadfullyanxiousaboutourfather；butwhenthesailorssawthattheshipwasapparentlygoingtopieces，theyinducedustoreturntothecampfireandsittheretilltheendwaspast。Bythistimethebarquewasbeinghelplesslybuffetedaboutamongstthereefs，alittlelessthanamileandahalffromshore。
“Suddenly，asweafterwardslearnt，shegavealurchandcompletelydisappearedbeneaththeturbulentwaters，withoutevenhermastheadsbeingleftstandingtoshowwhereshehadgonedown。Shehadevidentlytornahugeholeinhersideinoneofhercollisionswiththejaggedreefs，forshesankwithsuchrapiditythatnotoneoftheboatscouldbelaunched，andnotasinglememberofthecrewescaped——sofarasweknew——saveonlythosewhowerewithusontheisland。Thelossoftheshipwas，ofcourse，aterribleblowtoourvaliantprotectors，whowerenowleftabsolutelydependentontheirownresourcestoprovidefoodandmeansofescape。Thuspassedadreadfuldayandnight，themenalwayskeepingusignorantofwhathadhappened。TheyresolvedtomakeforPortDarwin，onthemainlandofAustralia，whichwasbelievedtobequitenear；forwehadnowater，therebeingnoneontheguanoisland。Theintervalwasspentincollectingturtles”eggsandsea-fowl，whichwereintendedasprovisionsforthejourney。Nextmorningthestormhadquiteabated，andgraduallythestupefyingnewswascommunicatedtousthatourfatherandhisshiphadgonedownwithallhandsinthenight。Indeed，thesekindandgentlementoldusthewholestoryoftheirhopesanddoubtsandfears，togetherwitheverydetailoftheterribletragedyoftheseathathadleftusinsuchafearfulsituation。Nooneneedstobetoldourfeelings。
“Shortlybeforenoonnextdaythesailwashoisted；wetookourplacesintheboat，andsoonwereripplingpleasantlythroughthenowplacidwaters，leavingtheguanoislandfarbehind。Thewindbeinginourfavour，verysatisfactoryprogresswasmadeformanyhours；butatlength，torturedbythirst，itwasdecidedtolandonthemainlandorthefirstislandwesighted，andlayinastockofwater——ifitwasobtainable。GladysandIwelcomedtheideaoflanding，becausebythistimewewereinquiteadisreputablecondition，nothavingwashedforseveraldays。Itwasourintention，whilethecrewsweregettingwaterandfood，toretiretotheothersideoftheisland，behindtherocks，andtherehaveanicebath。Theboatwassafelybeached，andtherebeingnosignsofnativesanywhereinthevicinity，themensoonlaidinastockofwaterwithouttroublingtogoveryfarinlandforit。MysisterandIatonceretiredseveralhundredyardsaway，andthereundressedandwentintothewater。
“Wehadscarcelywadedoutpastourwaistswhen，toourunspeakablehorror，acrowdofnakedblacks，hideouslypaintedandarmedwithspears，camerushingdownthecliffstowardsus，yellingandwhoopinginawayIamneverlikelytoforget。Theyseemedtoriseoutoftheveryrocksthemselves；andIreallythinkweimaginedweweregoingmad，andthatthewholeappallingvisionwasafearfuldream，inducedbythedreadfulstateofournerves。Myownheartseemedtostandstillwithterror，andtheonlydescriptionIcangiveofmysensationswasthatIfeltabsolutelyparalysed。Atlength，whentheyellingmonsterswerequiteclosetous，werealisedtheactualhorrorofitall，andscreamingfrantically，triedtodashoutofthewatertowardsthespotwherewehadleftourclothes。Butsomeoftheblacksinterceptedus，andwesawonemandeliberatelymakingoffwiththewholeofourwearingapparel。
“Ofcourse，whentheboat”screwheardtheuproartheyrushedtoourassistance，butwhentheywereabouttwentyyardsfromourassailants，theblackssentavolleyofspearsamongthemwithsuchamazingeffectthateveryoneofthesailorsfellprostratetotheearth。Theaimoftheblackswaswonderfullyaccurate。
“Someofourmen，however，managedtostruggletotheirfeetagain，inaheroicbutvainendeavourtoreachourside；butthesepoorfellowswereatoncebutcheredinthemostshockingmannerbythenatives，whowieldedtheirbigwaddiesorclubswiththemostsickeningeffect。Indeed，soheart-rendingandhorriblewasthetragedyenactedbeforeoureyes，thatforalongtimeafterwardswescarcelyknewwhatwashappeningtous，sodazedwithhorrorwerewe。Formyself，Ihaveafaintrecollectionofbeingdraggedacrosstheislandbythenatives，headedbythehideousandgiganticchiefwhoafterwardsclaimedusashis”wives。”Wewerenextputonboardalargecatamaran，ourhandsandfeethavingbeenpreviouslytiedwithhaircords；andwewerethenrowedovertothemainland，whichwasonlyafewmilesaway。Wekeptonaskingbysignsthatourclothingmightbereturnedtous，buttheblackstorethevariousgarmentsintolongstripsbeforeoureyes，andwrappedtheragsabouttheirheadsbywayofornament。Wereachedtheencampmentoftheblack-fellowslatethatsameevening，andwereatoncehandedovertothechargeofthewomen，whokeptuscloseprisonersand——sofaraswecouldjudge——abusedusinthemostviolentmanner。Ofcourse，Idon”tknowexactlywhattheirlanguagemeant，butIdoknowthattheytreatedusshamefully，andstruckusfromtimetotime。Igatheredthattheywerejealousoftheattentionshowntousbythebigchief。
“Weafterwardslearntthattheislandonwhichtheterribletragedytookplacewasnotreallyinhabited，buttheblacksonthecoasthad，itappeared，seenourboatfaroutatsea，andwatchedituntilwelandedforwater。Theywaitedalittlewhileinordertolullthecrewintoasenseoffanciedsecurity，andthen，withoutanothermoment”sdelay，crossedovertotheislandanddescendeduponus。
“Wepassedamostwretchednight。Never——nevercanIhopetodescribeourawfulfeelings。Wesufferedintenselyfromthecold，beingperfectlynaked。Wewerenot，however，molestedbyanyofourcaptors。Buthorrorwastobepiledonhorror”shead，forthenextdayapartyoftheblacksreturnedtotheislandandbroughtbackthedeadbodiesofallthemurderedsailors。Atfirstwewonderedwhytheywenttothistrouble；andwhen，atlength，itdawneduponusthatagreatcannibalfeastwasinpreparation，I
thinkwefaintedaway。
“Wedidnotactuallyseethecookingoperations，buttheodourofburningfleshwaspositivelyintolerable；andwesawwomenpassourlittlegrassshelterscarryingsomehumanarmsandlegs，whichweredoubtlesstheirownfamilies”portions。Ithoughtweshouldbothhavegonemad，butnotwithstandingthis，wedidkeepourreason。
Ourposition，however，wassorevoltingandsoghastly，thatwetriedtoputanendtoourlivesbystranglingourselveswitharopemadeofplaitedgrass。Butwewerepreventedfromcarryingoutourpurposebythewomen-folk，whothereafterkeptastrictwatchoverus。Itseemedtome，soembarrassingweretheattentionsofthewomen，thatthesepitiablebutcruelcreatureswerewarnedbythechiefthat，ifanythingbefellus，theythemselveswouldgetintodiretrouble。Allthistime，Icouldnotseemtothinkorconcentratemymindontheeventsthathadhappened。Iactedmechanically，andIamabsolutelycertainthatneitherGladysnormyselfrealisedourappallingposition。
“Inthemeantime，itseems，amostsanguinaryfighthadtakenplaceamongfouroftheprincipalblackswhohadassistedintheattackuponoursailors，theobjectofthefightbeingtodecidewhoshouldtakepossessionofus。
“Onenightwemanagedtoslipoutofthecampwithoutattractingthenoticeofthewomen，andatoncerusheddowntothebeach，intendingtothrowourselvesintothewater，andsoendalifewhichwasfarworsethandeath。Wewere，unfortunately，missed，andjustasweweregettingbeyondourdepthapartyoffuriousblacksrusheddowntotheshore，wadedoutintothewaterandbroughtasout。
“Afterthisincidentourlibertywascurtailedaltogether，andweweremovedaway。Thewomenwereplainlytold——sowegathered——thatifanythinghappenedtous，death，andnothingless，wouldbetheirportion。Nowthatwecouldnolongerleavethelittlebreak-windthatshelteredus，wespentthewholeofourtimeinprayer——mainlyfordeathtoreleaseusfromouragonies。Iwassurprisedtoseethatthewomenthemselves，thoughnude，werenotmuchaffectedbytheintensecoldthatprevailedattimes，butweafterwardslearntthattheyanointedtheirnakedbodieswithakindofgreasyclay，whichformedacompletecoatingallovertheirbodies。Duringtheensuingthreemonthsthetribeconstantlymovedtheircamp，andwewerealwaystakenaboutbyourownerandtreatedwiththemostshockingbrutality。Thenativefood，whichconsistedofroots，kangarooflesh，snakes，caterpillars，andthelike，wasutterlyloathsometous，andforseveraldaysweabsolutelyrefusedtotouchit，inthehopethatwemightdieofstarvation。
“Finally，however，theblackscompelledustoswallowsomemysterious-lookingmeat，underthreatsoftorturefromthosedreadfulfire-sticks。Youwillnotbesurprisedtolearnthat，thoughlifebecameanintolerableburdentous，yet，forthemostpart，weobeyedourcaptorssubmissively。Atthesametime，I
oughttotellyouthatnowandagainwedisobeyeddeliberately，anddidourbesttolashthesavagesintoafury，hopingthattheywouldspearusorkilluswiththeirclubs。Oursoleshelterwasabreak-windofboughswithafireinfront。Thedayspassedagonisinglyby；andwhenItellyouthateveryhour——nay，everymoment——wasacrushingtorture，youwillunderstandwhatthatphrasemeans。Wegrewweakerandweaker，and，Ibelieve，moreemaciated。Webecamedeliriousandhysterical，andmoreandmoreinsensibletothecoldandhunger。Nodoubtdeathwouldsoonhavecometoourreliefhadyounotarrivedintimetosaveus。”
This，then，wasthefearfulstorywhichtheunfortunateMissesRogershadtotell。ThemoreIthoughtitover，themoreI
realisedthatnoEnglishwomenhadeverlivedtotellsodreadfulanexperience。Icomparedtheirstorywithmine，andfelthowdifferentitwas。Iwasaman，andapowerinthelandfromtheveryfirst——treatedwiththegreatestconsiderationandrespectbyallthetribes。And，poorthings，theywereterriblydespondentwhenIexplainedtothemthatitwasimpossibleformetotakethemrightawayatonce。HadIattemptedtodososurreptitiously，I
shouldhaveoutragedthesacredlawsofhospitality，andbroughtthewholetribeaboutmyearsandtheirs。Besides，Ihadfixeduponaplanofmyown；and，astheveryfactofmypresenceinthecampwassufficientprotectionforthegirls，Iimploredthemtowaitpatientlyandtrustinme。
ThatverynightIcalledYambatomeanddespatchedhertoafriendlytribewehadencounteredintheKingLeopoldRanges——
perhapsthreedays”journeyaway。IinstructedhertotelltheseblacksthatIwasingreatdanger，and，therefore，stoodinneedofabodyofwarriors，whooughttobesentoffimmediatelytomyassistance。TheyknewmemuchbetterthanIdidthem。Theyhadfeastedonthewhale。AsIconcludedmymessage，IlookedintoYamba”seyesandtoldherthecasewasdesperate。Herdeareyesglowedinthefirelight，andIsawthatshewasdeterminedtodoordie。Itrustedimplicitlyinherfertilityofresourceandherextraordinaryintelligence。
Inafewdaysshereturned，andtoldmethateverythinghadbeenarranged，andabodyofarmedwarriorswouldpresentlyarriveinthevicinityofthecamp，readytoplacethemselvesabsolutelyatmyservice。
Andsureenough，afewdayslatertwentystalwartwarriorsmadetheirappearanceatthespotindicatedbyYamba；butasIdidnotconsidertheforcequitelargeenoughformypurpose，Isentsomeofthembackwithanothermessageaskingforreinforcements，andsayingthatthegreatwhitechiefwasindanger。Finally，whenI
feltprettyconfidentofmyposition，Imarchedboldlyforwardintothecampwithmywarriors，totheunboundedamazementofthewholetribewithwhosechiefIwassojourning。HetaxedmewithhavingdeceivedhimwhenIsaidIwasalone，andhealsoaccusedmeofoutragingthelawsofhospitalitybybringingapartyofwarriors，obviouslyhostile，intohispresence。
Iwilfullyignoredallthesepoints，andcalmlytoldhimIhadbeenthinkingoverthewayinwhichhehadacquiredthetwowhitegirls，andhadcometotheconclusionthathehadnorighttothematall。
Therefore，Icontinuedairily，itwasmyintentiontotakethemawayforthwith。Ipointedouttotherepulsivegiantthathehadnotobtainedthegirlsbyfairmeans，andifheobjectedtomytakingthemaway，itwasopentohim，accordingtocustom，tosustainhisclaimtoownershipbyfightingmeforthe“property。”
Now，theseblacksareneitherdemonstrativenorintelligent，butI
thinkIneversawanyhumanbeingsoastonishedinthewholeofmylife。Itdawneduponhimpresently，however，thatIwasnotjoking，andthenhisamazementgaveplacetothemostfuriousanger。Hepromptlyacceptedmychallenge，greatlytothedelightofallthewarriorsinhisowntribe，withwhomhewasbynomeanspopular。But，ofcourse，theanticipationofcomingsporthadsomethingtodowiththeirgleeattheacceptanceofthechallenge。
Thebigmanwasaspowerfulinbuildashewasugly，andthemomentheopenedhismouthIrealisedthatforonceYambahadgonetoofarinproclaimingmyprodigiousvalour。Hesaidhehadheardaboutmywonderful“flying-spears，“anddeclinedtofightmeifIusedsuchpreternaturalweapons。ItwasthereforearrangedTHATWESHOULD
WRESTLE——theonewhooverthrewtheothertwiceoutofthreetimestobedeclaredthevictor。Imaysaythatthiswasentirelymysuggestion，asIhadalwayslovedtrickwrestlingwhenatschool，andevenhadaspecialtutorforthatpurpose——M。Viginet，anagilelittleParisian，livinginGeneva。HewasaCrimeanveteran。Therank-and-fileofthewarriors，however，didnotlookuponthissuggestionwithmuchfavour，astheythoughtitwasnotpayingproperrespecttomywonderfulpowers。IassuredthemIwasperfectlysatisfied，andbeggedthemtoletthecontestproceed。
Thenfollowedoneofthemostextraordinarycombatsonrecord。
Picturetoyourself，ifyoucan，theagonyofmindofpoorlittleBlancheandGladysRogersduringtheprogressofthefight；andalsoimaginethepainfulanxietywithwhichIwentintowin。
Apieceofgroundabouttwentyfeetsquarewaslightlymarkedoutbytheblackswiththeirwaddies，andtheideawasthat，toaccomplishathrow，thewrestlerhadtohurlhisopponentcleanoutsidetheboundary。Wepreparedforthecombatbycoveringourbodieswithgrease；andIhadmylonghairsecurelytiedupintoakindof“chignon“atthebackofmyhead。Myopponentwasafarbiggermanthanmyself，butIfeltprettyconfidentinmyabilityasatrickwrestler，anddidnotfearmeetinghim。WhatIdidfear，however，wasthathewoulddisputethefindingsoftheumpiresiftheywereinmyfavour，inwhichcasetheremightbetrouble。Ihadashrewdsuspicionthatthechiefwassomethingofacowardatheart。Heseemednervousandanxious，andIsawhimtalkingeagerlywithhisprincipalsupporter。Asformyself，I
constantlydweltupontheghastlyplightofthetwopoorgirls。I
resolvedthat，withGod”shelp，Iwouldvanquishmyhugeenemyandrescuethemfromtheirdreadfulposition。Iwasinsplendidcondition，withmuscleslikesteelfromincessantwalking。Atlengththewarriorssquatteddownuponthegroundintheformofacrescent，thechiefsintheforeground，andeverydetailofthestrugglethatfollowedwasobservedwiththekeenestinterest。
Iwasanxiousnottoloseasinglemoment。IfeltthatifI
thoughtthematteroverImightloseheart，soIsuddenlyboundedintothearena。Myopponentwastherealready——looking，Imustsay，alittleundecided。
Inamomenthishugearmswereaboutmywaistandshoulders。Itdidnottakemeverylongtofindoutthatthebigchiefwasgoingtodependmoreuponhisweightthanuponanytechnicalskillinwrestling。Hepossessednone。Hefirstmadeagreatattempttoforcemeuponmykneesandthenbackwards；butIwriggledoutofhisgrasp，andafewminuteslateranopeningpresenteditselffortryingthe“cross-buttock“throw。Therewasnotamomenttobelost。SeizingthebigmanroundthethighIdrewhimforward，pulledhimoveronmyback，andinthetwinklingofaneye——
certainlybeforeImyselfhadtimetorealisewhathadhappened——hewashurledrightovermyheadoutsidetheenclosure。Thespectators——sportsmenall——franticallyslappedtheirthighs，andI
knewthenthatIhadgainedtheirsympathies。Myopponent，whohadalightedonhisheadandnearlybrokenhisneck，rosetohisfeet，lookingdazedandfuriousthatheshouldhavebeensoeasilythrown。Whenhefacedmeforthesecondtimeinthesquarehewasmuchmorecautious，andwestruggledsilently，butforcefully，forsomeminuteswithouteithergaininganydecidedadvantage。Oddlyenough，atthetimeIwasnotstruckbythedramaticelementofthesituation；butnowthatIhavereturnedtocivilisationIDOseetheextraordinarynatureofthecombatasIlookbackuponthosedreadfuldays。
Justpicturethesceneforyourself。Theweird，unexploredlandstretchesawayoneveryside，thoughonecouldnotseemuchofitonaccountofthegrassyhillocks。I，awhiteman，wasaloneamongtheblacksintheterriblelandof“NeverNever，“——astheAustralianscalltheirterraincognita；andIwaswrestlingwithagiganticcannibalchiefforthepossessionoftwodelicately-rearedEnglishgirls，whowereinhispower。Scoresofothersavagessquattedbeforeus，theirrepulsivefacesaglowwithinterestandexcitement。VeryfortunatelyBrunowasnotonthespot。Iknewwhathewasofold，andhowhemademyquarrelshiswithastrenuousenergyandeagernessthatfrequentlygothimselfaswellashismasterintoserioustrouble。Knowingthis，IhadinstructedYambatokeephimcarefullyaway，andonnoaccountlethimrunloose。
Fullyawarethatdelaysweredangerous，Igrippedmyopponentoncemoreandtriedtothrowhimovermyback，butthistimehewastoowary，andbrokeawayfromme。Whenweclosedagainhecommencedhisoldtacticsoftryingtocrushmetothegroundbysheerweight，butinthishewasnotsuccessful。Frankly，Iknewhisstrengthwasmuchgreaterthanmine，andthatthelongerwewrestledthelesschanceIwouldhave。Therefore，forcinghimsuddenlysideways，sothathestoodononeleg，Itrippedhim，hurlinghimviolentlyfrommesideways；andhishugeformwentrollingoutsidethesquare，totheaccompanimentofdelightedyellsfromhisownpeople。
Icannotdescribemyownsensations，forIbelieveIwashalfmadwithtriumphandexcitement。ImustnotforgettomentionthatI，too，felltotheground，butfortunatelywellwithinthesquare。I
wasgreatlyastonishedtobeholdthegleeofthespectators——but，then，thekeynoteoftheircharacterisanintenseloveofdeedsofprowess，especiallysuchdeedsasprovideexcitingentertainment。
ThevanquishedchiefsprangtohisfeetbeforeIdid，andereI
couldrealisewhatwashappening，hedashedatmeasIwasrisinganddealtmeaterribleblowinthemouthwithhisclenchedfist。
Ashewasamagnificentlymuscularsavage，theblowbrokeseveralofmyteethandfilledmymouthwithblood。Mylips，too，wereverybadlycut，andaltogetherIfelthalfstunned。Theeffectupontheaudiencewasastounding。Thewarriorsleapedtotheirfeet，highlyincensedatthecowardlyact，andsomeofthemwouldactuallyhavespearedtheirchiefthenandtherehadInotforestalledthem。Iwasfuriouslyangry，anddexterouslydrawingmystilettofromitssheathsoasnottoattractattention，I
struckatmyopponentwithallmyforce，buryingtheshort，keenbladeinhisheart。Hefelldeadatmyfeetwithalow，gurglinggroan。AsIwithdrewtheknife，Ihelditsothatthebladeextendedupmyforearmandwasquitehidden。This，combinedwiththefactthatthefatalwoundbledmainlyinternally，causedthenativestobelieveIhadstruckmyenemydeadbysomesupernaturalmeans。Theactwasinevitable。
YouwillobservethatbythistimeIwouldseizeeveryopportunityofimpressingtheblacksbyanalmostintuitiveinstinct；andasthehugesavagelaydeadontheground，Iplacedmyfootoverthewound，foldedmyarms，andlookedroundtriumphantlyupontheenthusiasticcrowd，likeagladiatorofold。
Accordingtolawandetiquette，however，thenearestrelativesofthedeadmanhadaperfectrighttochallengeme，buttheydidnotdoso，probablybecausetheyweredisgustedattheunfairactofmyopponent。Iputtheusualquestion，butnochampioncameforward；
onthecontrary，Iwasoverwhelmedwithcongratulations，andevenoffersofthechieftainship。Iamcertain，sogreatwastheloveoffair-playamongthesenatives，thathadInotkilledthechiefwithmystiletto，hisownpeoplewouldpromptlyhavespearedhim。
Thewholeofthisstrangetragedypassedwithsurprisingswiftness；
andImaymentionherethat，asIsawthechiefrushingatme，I
thoughthesimplywantedtocommenceanotherround。Hisdeathwasactuallyanoccasionforrejoicinginthetribe。Thefestivitieswerequicklyended，however，whenItoldthewarriorsthatI
intendedleavingthecampwiththetwogirlsinthecourseofanotherdayorso，toreturntomyfriendsintheKingLeopoldRanges。InrealityitwasmyintentiontomakeformyownhomeintheCambridgeGulfdistrict。Thebodyofthechiefwasnoteaten(mostlikelyonaccountofthecowardicehedisplayed)，butitwasdisposedofaccordingtonativerites。Thecorpsewasfirstofallhalf-roastedinfrontofahugefire，andthen，whenproperlyshrivelled，itwaswrappedinbarkandlaidonakindofplatformbuiltintheforkofatree。
Thegirlswerekeptinignoranceofthefatalterminationofthewrestlingmatch，asIwasafraiditmightgivethemanunnecessaryshock。Aftertwelveorfourteendaysinthecamp，wequietlytookourdeparture。Ourpartyconsistedofthetwogirls，whowerenearlyfranticwithexcitementovertheirescape；Yamba，andmyself——togetherwiththefriendlywarriorswhohadsoopportunelycometomyassistance。
Wehadnotgonefar，however，beforethegirlscomplainedofsorefeet。Thiswasnotsurprising，consideringtheburninghotsandandtheroughcountryweweretraversing，whichwasquitetheworstIhadyetseen——atanyrate，forthefirstfewdays”marchafterwegotoutofthelevelcountryintheKing”sSoundregion。I，therefore，hadtorigupakindofhammockmadeofwovengrass，andthis，slungbetweentwopoles，servedtocarrythegirlsbyturns，thenativesactingasbearers。Butbeingtotallyunusedtocarryinganythingbuttheirownweapons，theyproveddeplorablyinefficientasporters，andafteratime，sointolerabletothemdidthelabourbecome，theworkofcarryingthegirlsdevolveduponYambaandmyself。Gladys，theyoungergirl，sufferedmost，butbothwereweakandfootsoreandgenerallyincapableofmuchexertion。Perhapsareactionhadsetinaftertheterribleexcitementofthepreviousdays。Soonourescortleftus，toreturntotheirownhomes；andthenYambaandIhadtoworkextremelyhardtogetthegirlsovertheterriblyroughcountry。
Fortunatelytherewasnoneedforhurry，andsoweproceededinthemostleisurelymannerpossible，campingfrequentlyanderectinggrasssheltersforourdelicatecharges。Foodwasabundant，andthenativesfriendly。
CHAPTERXI
Easiertravel——Thegirlsimprove——Howtheblacksreceivedthem——A
largehut——Adaintydish——Whatmighthavebeen——Thegirlsdecoratetheirhome——Brunoasaperformer”Ateacherofswimming“——Howwefoughtdepression——Castlesintheair——Astrangeconcert——Trappingwild-cats——Thegirls”terrorofsolitude——Ferventprayer——Agoose-
skinfootball——HowImadedrums。
AtlengthwecametoastatelystreamthatflowedinaNNE。
directiontoCambridgeGulf。This，Ibelieve，istheOrdRiver。
Hereweconstructedacatamaran，andwereabletotraveleasilyandluxuriouslyuponit，alwaysspendingthenightashore。Thiscatamaranwasexceptionallylarge，andlongenoughtoadmitofourstandinguprightonitwithperfectsafety。AftercrossingtheKingLeopoldRangeswestruckalevelcountry，coveredwithrich，tallgrass，andwellthoughnotthicklywooded。Theroughgraniteranges，bytheway，wefoundrichinalluvialandreeftin。
Graduallythegirlsgrewstrongerandbrighter。Atthistimetheywere，asyouknow，cladintheirstrange“sack“garmentsofbird-
skins；butevenbeforewereachedtheOrdRiverthesebegantoshrinktosuchanextentthatthewearerswereeventuallywrappedasinavice，andwerescarcelyabletowalk。Yambathenmadesomemake-shiftgarmentsoutofopossumskins。
Asthegirls”spiritsrosehigherandhigherIwasassailedbyothermisgivings。Idonotknowquitehowtheideaarose，butsomehowtheyimaginedthattheirprotector”shomewasamoreorlesscivilisedsettlement，withregularhouses，furnishedwithpianosandotherappurtenancesofcivilisedlife！SogreatwastheirexuberancethatIcouldnotfinditinmyhearttotellthemthattheyweremerelygoingamongmyownfriendlynatives，whoseadmirationandaffectionformyselfonlydifferentiatedthemfromtheothercannibalblacksofunknownAustralia。
WhenfirstIsawthesepoorgirls，intheglowofthefirelight，andintheirrudeshelterofboughs，theylookedlikeoldwomen，sohaggardandemaciatedwerethey；butnow，asthespaciouscatamaranglideddownthestatelyOrd，theygraduallyresumedtheiryouthfullooks，andwereverycomelyindeed。Theawfullookofintolerableanguishthathauntedtheirfaceshadgone，andtheylaughedandchattedwithperfectfreedom。Theywerelikebirdsjustsetatliberty。TheylovedBrunofromtheveryfirst；andhelovedthem。
Heshowedhislove，too，inaverypracticalmanner，bygoinghuntingonhisownaccountandbringinghomelittleduckstohisnewmistresses。Quiteofhisownaccord，also，hewouldgothroughhiswholerepertoireoftumblingtricks；andwheneverthegirlsreturnedtocampfromtheirlittlewanderings，withbarelegsbleedingfromtheprickles，Brunowouldlicktheirwoundsandmanifesteverytokenofsympathyandaffection。
Ofcourse，afterleavingthenativeencampment，itwasseveralweeksbeforewemadetheOrdRiver，andthenweglideddownthatfinestreamformanydays，spearingfishinthelittlecreeks，andgenerallyamusingourselves，timebeingnoobject。Ihave，bytheway，seenenormousshoalsoffishinthisriver——mainlymullet——
whichcanonlybecomparedtothevastswarmsofsalmonseenintheriversofBritishColumbia。
Wecameacrossmanyisolatedhillsonourwaytotheriver，andthesedelayedusveryconsiderably，becausewehadtogoroundthem。Here，again，therewasanabundanceoffood，butthegirlsdidnottakeverykindlytothevariousmeats，greatlypreferringtherootswhichYambacollected。Wecameuponfieldsofwildrice，which，apartfromanyotherconsideration，lentgreatbeautytothelandscape，coveringthecountrywithapinkish-whiteblossom。Weforcedourselvestogetusedtotherice，althoughitwasveryinsipidwithouteithersaltorsugar。
Sometimes，duringourdown-riverjourney，wewereobligedtocampfordaysandnightswithoutmakinganyprogress。This，however，wasonlyaftertheriverbecametidalandsweptupagainstus。
Whenatlengthwewouldputoffagaininahomewarddirection，I
sangmanylittlechansonstomyfaircompanions。Theonethatpleasedthemmost，havingregardtoourposition，commenced-
“Filez，filez，monbeaunavire，Carlabonheurm”attendlabas。”
Wheneverthegirlsappearedtobebroodingovertheterriblemisfortunestheyhadundergone，Iwouldtellthemmyownstory，whichdeeplyaffectedthem。Theywouldoftenweepwithtendersympathyovertheseriesofcatastrophesthathadbefallenme。
Theysangtome，too——chieflyhymns，however——suchas“RockofAges，““Nearer，myGod，toThee，““ThereisaHappyLand，“andmanyothers。Wewereconstantlymeetingnewtribesofnatives，andforthemostpartwereverywellreceived。Bruno，however，alwaysevincedanunconquerableaversionfortheblacks。Hewaseverkindtothechildren，thoughmostlyindisgracewiththemen——untiltheyknewhim。
WhenatlengthwereachedmyownhomeinCambridgeGulf，thenativesgaveusawelcomesowarmthatinsomemeasureatleastitmitigatedthegirls”disappointmentattheabsenceofcivilisation。
Youseemypeopleweredelightedwhentheysawmebringinghome，astheythought，twowhitewives；“fornow，“theysaid，“thegreatwhitechiefwillcertainlyremainamongusforever。”Therewerenowarsgoingonjustthen，andsothewholetribegavethemselvesuptofestivities。
Theblackswerealsodelightedtoseethegirls，thoughofcoursetheydidnotcondescendtogreetthem，theybeingmerewomen，andthereforebeneathdirectnotice。
Ioughttomentionhere，thatlongbeforewereachedmyhomewewereconstantlyprovidedwithescortsofnativesfromthevarioustribeswemet。Thesepeoplewalkedalongthehighbanksordisportedthemselvesinthewaterlikeamphibians，greatlytothedelightofthegirls。WefoundthebanksoftheOrdverythicklypopulated，andfrequentlycampedatnightwithdifferentpartiesofnatives。AmongtheseweactuallycameacrosssomeIhadfoughtagainstmanymonthspreviously。
Aswenearedmyhome，someofourescortsentupsmoke-signalstoannounceourapproach——theoldandwonderful“Morsecode“oflongpuffs，shortpuffs，spiralpuffs，andtherest；thevariationsbeingproducedbydampingdownthefireorfireswithgreenboughs。
Yambaalsosentupsignals。Theresultwasthatcrowdsofmyownpeoplecameoutintheircatamaranstomeetus。Myreception，infact，waslikethataccordedasuccessfulRomanGeneral。Needlesstosay，therewasaseriesofhugecorroboreesheldinourhonour。
ThefirstthingIwastoldwasthatmyhuthadbeenburntdowninmyabsence(firesareofquitecommonoccurrence)；andso，forthefirstfewdaysafterourarrival，thegirlswerehousedinatemporarygrassshelter，pendingtheconstructionofasubstantialhutbuiltoflogs。Now，aslogswereveryunusualbuildingmaterial，awordofexplanationisnecessary。
Thegirlsneverconqueredtheirfearoftheblacks——evenMYblacks；
andtherefore，inorderthattheymightfeelsecurefromnightattack(apurelyfancifulidea，ofcourse)，Iresolvedtobuildahutwhichshouldbethoroughlyspear-proof。Barkwasalsousedextensively，andtherewasathatchofgrass。Whenfinished，ournewresidenceconsistedofthreefair-sizedrooms——oneforthegirlstosleepin，oneforYambaandmyself，andathirdasageneral“livingroom，“——though，ofcourse，welivedmainlyenplainair。Ialsoarrangedakindofverandainfrontofthedoor，andherewefrequentlysatintheevening，singing，chattingaboutdistantfriends；thetimesthatwere，andthetimesthatweretobe。
Letthetruthbetold。Whenthesepooryoungladiescametomyhuttheirfacesexpressedtheirbitterdisappointment，andweallwepttogetherthegreaterpartofthenight。Afterwardstheysaidhowsorrytheywerethustohavegivenway；andtheybeggedmenottothinkthemungrateful。However，theysoonresignedthemselvestotheinevitable，buoyedupbytheinexhaustibleoptimismofyouth；
andtheysettleddowntoliveascomfortablyaspossibleamongtheblacksuntilsomefortuitousoccurrenceshouldenableusalltoleavetheseweirdandremoteregions。Thegirlswereinconstantterrorofbeingleftalone——ofbeingstolen，infact。Theyhadbeentoldhowthenativesgotwivesbystealingthem；andtheywouldwakeupinthedeadofthenightscreaminginthemostheart-
rendingmanner，withavague，namelessterror。Knowingthattheordinaryfoodmustberepulsivetomynewanddelightfulcompanions，Iwentbacktoacertainisland，where，duringmyjourneyfromthelittlesand-spittothemain，Ihadhiddenaquantityofcornbeneathacairn。
ThiscornInowbroughtbacktomyGulfhome，andplantedfortheuseofthegirls。Theyalwaysatethecorngreeninthecob，withakindofvegetable“milk“thatexudesfromoneofthepalm-trees。
Whentheybecamealittlemorereconciledtotheirnewsurroundings，theytookagreatinterestintheirhome，andwouldwatchmeforhoursasItriedtofashionrudetablesandchairsandotherarticlesoffurniture。Yambaactedascookandwaitress，butafteratimetheworkwasmorethanshecouldcopewithunaided。
Yousee，shehadtoFINDthefoodaswellascookit。Thegirls，whowere，ofcourse，lookeduponasmywivesbythetribe(thiswastheirgreatestprotection)，knewnothingaboutroot-hunting，andthereforetheydidnotattempttoaccompanyYambaonherdailyexpeditions。Iwasinsomethingofadilemma。IfIengagedothernativewomentohelpYamba，theyalsowouldberecognisedasmywives。Finally，Idecidedtherewasnothingleftformebuttoacquirefivemorehelpmates，whowereofthegreatestassistancetoYamba。
Ofcourse，theconstanttopicofconversationwasourultimateescapeoverland；andtothisendwemadelittleexpeditionstotestthegirls”powersofendurance。Isuggested，duringoneofourconversations，thatweshouldeithermakeforPortEssington，orelsegooverlandinsearchofPortDarwin；butthegirlswereaversetothis，owingtotheirterrorofthenatives。
LittledidIdream，however，thatataplacecalledCossack，onthecoastoftheNorth-WestDivisionofWesternAustralia，therewasasettlementofpearl-fishers；sothat，hadIonlyknownit，civilisation——moreorless——wascomparativelynear。Cossack，itappears，wasthepearlingrendezvousonthewesternsideofthecontinent，muchasSomersetwasonthenorth-east，attheextremityoftheCapeYorkPeninsula。
Mytongueorpencannevertellwhatthoseyoungladiesweretomeinmyterribleexile。TheywouldrecitepassagesfromSirWalterScott”sworks——the“TalesofaGrandfather“Irememberinparticular；andsoexcellentwastheirmemorythattheywerealsoabletogivememanybeautifulpassagesfromByronandShakespeare。
IhadalwayshadagreatadmirationforShakespeare，andthegirlsandmyselfwouldfrequentlyactlittlescenesfrom“TheTempest，“
asbeingthemostappropriatetoourcircumstances。Thegirls”
favouriteplay，however，wasPericles，“PrinceofTyre。”ItookthepartoftheKing，andwhenIcalledformyrobesYambawouldbringsomeindescribablegarmentsofemuskin，withagravitythatwascomicalintheextreme。I，onmypart，recitedpassagesfromtheFrenchclassics——particularlytheFablesofLaFontaine，inFrench；whichlanguagethegirlsknewfairlywell。
Andwehadotheramusements。ImadesomefiddlesoutofthatpeculiarAustralianwoodwhichsplitsintothinstrips。Thestringsofthebowwemadeoutofmyownhair；whilstthosefortheinstrumentitselfwereobtainedfromthedriedintestinesofthenativewild-cat。
Welinedthehutwiththebarkofthepaper-tree，whichhadtheappearanceofareddish-browndrapery。
Thenativewomenmadeusmatsoutofthewildflax；andthegirlsthemselvesdecoratedtheirroomdailywithbeautifulflowers，chieflylilies。Theyalsobusiedthemselvesinmakinggarmentsofvariouskindsfromopossumskins。Theyevenmadesomesortofcostumeforme，butIcouldnotwearitonaccountoftheirritationitcaused。
Thenativeswouldgomilestogetfruitforthegirls——wildfigs，andakindofnutaboutthesizeofawalnut，which，whenripe，wasfilledwithadelicioussubstancelookingandtastinglikeraspberryjam。Therewasalsoaqueerkindofapplewhichgrewuponcreepersinthesand，andofwhichweateonlytheouterpartraw，cookingthelargekernelwhichisfoundinside。Idonotknowthescientificnameofanyofthesethings。
Ioftenaskedthegirlswhethertheyhadaltogetherdespairedintheclutchesofthecannibalchief；andtheytoldmethatalthoughtheyoftenattemptedtotaketheirownlives，yettheyhadintervalsofbrighthope——sostrongistheoptimismofyouth。Myapparition，theytoldme，seemedlikeadreamtothem。
Thenatives，ofcourse，wereconstantlymovingtheircampfromplacetoplace，leavingusaloneforweeksatatime；butwekeptprettystationary，andwerevisitedbyotherfriendlytribes，whomweentertained(inaccordancewithmyconsistentpolicy)withsongs，plays，recitations，andacrobaticperformances。
IntheselatterBrunotookagreatpart，andnothingdelightedtheblacksmorethantoseehimputhisnoseonthegroundandgoheadoverheelstimeaftertimewithgreatgravityandpersistency。ButtheeffectofBruno”smanytricksfadedintotheveriestinsignificancebesidethatproducedbyhisbark。Youmustunderstandthatthenativedogsdonotbarkatall，butsimplygiveventtoamelancholyhowl，notunlikethatofthehyena，Ibelieve。
Bruno”sbark，beitsaid，haseventurnedthetideofbattle，forhewasalwaysinthewarsinthemostliteralsenseofthephrase。
Thesethings，combinedwithhisgreatabilitiesasahunter，oftenpromptedtheblackstoputinademandthatBrunoshouldbemadeovertothemaltogether。Now，thisrequestwasbothawkwardandinconvenienttoanswer；butIgotoutofitbytellingthem——sincetheybelievedinacuriouskindofmetempsychosis——thatBrunowasMYBROTHER，whosesoulandbeinghepossessed！Hisbark，I
pretended，wasaperfectlyintelligiblelanguage，andthistheybelievedthemorereadilywhentheysawmespeaktothedogandaskhimtodovariousthings，suchasfetchingandcarrying；tumbling，walkingonhishind-legs，&c。&c。Buteventhisargumentdidnotsufficetoovercomethecovetousnessofsometribes，andIwasthenobligedtoassurethemconfidentiallythathewasarelativeoftheSun，andthereforeifIpartedwithhimhewouldbringallmannerofmostdreadfulcursesdownuponhisnewownerorowners。
WheneverwewentramblingIhadtokeepBrunoasnearmeaspossible，becausewesometimescameacrossnativeswhosefirstimpulse，notknowingthathewasadog，wastospearhim。Withoutdoubtthemanycross-breedsbetweenBrunoandthenativedogswillyetbefoundbyAustralianexplorers。
Ourhutwasaboutthree-quartersofamileawayfromthesea，andinthemorningtheveryfirstthingthegirlsandIdidwastogodowntothebeacharm-in-armandhaveadeliciousswim。
Theyverysoonbecameexpertswimmers，bytheway，undermytuition。FrequentlyIwouldgooutspearingandnettingfish，myprincipalcapturesbeingmullet。Wenearlyalwayshadfishofsomesortforbreakfast，includingshell-fish；andwewouldsendthewomenlongdistancesforwildhoney。Waterwastheonlyliquidwedrankatbreakfast，andwithitYambaservedaveryappetisingdishoflily-budsandroots。Weusedtosteamthewildrice——whichI
foundgrowingalmosteverywhere，butnevermorethantwofeethigh——
inprimitiveovens，whichweremerelyadaptedants”nests。Thematerialthatformedthesenests，weutilisedasflooringforourhouse。Weoccasionallyreceivedquantitiesofwildfigsfromtheinlandnativesinexchangeforshellandotherornamentswhichtheydidnotpossess。Ialsodiscoveredacerealverylikebarley，whichIgroundupandmadeintocakes。Thegirlsneverattemptedtocookanything，therebeingnocivilisedappliancesofanykind。
Foodwasneverboiled。
Fromallthisyouwouldgatherthatwewereashappyascivilisedbeingscouldpossiblybeunderthecircumstances。Nevertheless——
andmyheartachesasIrecallthosetimes——wehadperiodicalfitsofdespondency，whichfilleduswithacuteandintolerableagony。
Theseperiodscamewithcuriousregularityalmostonceaweek。AtsuchtimesIatonceinstitutedsports，suchasswimmingmatches，racesonthebeach，swings，andacrobaticperformancesonthehorizontalbars。AlsoShakespearianplays，songs(thegirlstaughtmemostofMoore”smelodies)，andrecitationsbothgraveandgay。
Thefitsofdespondencywereusuallymostseverewhenwehadbeenwatchingtheeverlastingseaforhours，andhadperhapsatlastcaughtsightofadistantsailwithoutbeingabletoattracttheattentionofthoseonboard。Thegirls，too，sufferedfromfitsofnervousapprehensionlestIshouldgoawayfromthemforanylengthoftime。Theyneverhadcompleteconfidenceeveninmyfriendlynatives。Naturallywewereinseparable，wethree。Wewentforlongramblestogether，anddailyinspectedourquaintlittlecorn-
garden。AtfirstmycharmingcompanionsevincedthemostembarrassinggratitudeforwhatIhaddone，butIearnestlybeggedofthemnevereventomentionthewordtome。ThelittleIhaddone，Itoldthem，wasmybareandobviousduty，andwasnomorethananyothermanworthyofthename，wouldhavedone。
Inourmorehopefulmomentswewouldspeakofthefuture，andthesepoorgirlswoulddwelluponthethrillofexcitementthatwouldgoallthroughthecivilisedworld，whentheirstoryandmineshouldfirstbemadeknowntothepublic。
Fortheyfeltcertaintheiradventureswerequiteuniqueintheannalsofcivilisation，andtheylovedtothinktheywouldhaveanopportunityof“lionising“mewhenweshouldreturntoEurope。
TheywouldnothearmewhenIprotestedthatsuchacoursewould，frommypointofview，beextremelyunpleasantandundignified——
evenpainful。
Everydaywekeptagoodlook-outforpassingships；andfromtwentytofortycatamaranswerealwaysstationedonthebeachinreadinesstotakeusouttoseashouldtherebeanyhopeofarescue。AsmyknowledgeofEnglishwasatthistimenotveryperfect，thegirlstookituponthemselvestoimproveme，andI
maderapidprogressundertheirvivacioustuition。TheywouldpromptlycorrectmeinthepronunciationofcertainvowelswhenI
readaloudfromtheonlybookIpossessed——theAnglo-FrenchTestamentIhavealreadymentioned。Theywere，bytheway，exceedinglyinterestedintherecordsofmydailylife，sensations，&c。，whichIhadwritteninBLOODinthemarginsofmylittleBiblewhilstontheislandinTimorSea。AboutthistimeItriedtomakesomeink，havingquillpensinplentyfromthebodiesofthewildgeese；buttheexperimentwasafailure。
Bothgirls，asIhavealreadyhinted，hadwonderfulmemories，andcouldrecitenumberlesspassageswhichtheyhadlearntatschool。
Blanche，theeldergirl，wouldgivehersisterandmyselflessonsinelocution；andIshouldliketosayawordtoteachersandchildrenontheenormousutilityofCOMMITTINGSOMETHINGTOMEMORY——
whetherpoems，songs，orpassagesfromhistoricalorclassicalworks。Itis，ofcourse，veryunlikelythatanyonewhoreadstheselineswillbecastawayaswewere，butstilloneneverknowswhatthefuturehasinstore；andIhaveknownpioneersandprospectorswhohaveventuredintotheremoterwilds，andemergedtherefromyearsafter，togivestrikingtestimonyastotheusefulnessofbeingabletosingorreciteinaloudvoice。
Sometimeswewouldhaveanimprovisedconcert，eachofussingingwhateverbestsuitedthevoice；orwewouldalljointogetherinarollickingglee。Oneday，Iremember，Istartedoffwith-
“Anotreheureuxsejour，“
butalmostimmediatelyIrealisedhowridiculouslyinappropriatethewordswere。Still，Istruggledonthroughthefirstverse，buttomyamazement，beforeIcouldstartthesecond，thegirlsjoinedinwith“GodSavetheQueen，“whichhasexactlythesameair。TheincidentisonethatshouldappealtoallBritishpeople，includingevenherMostGraciousMajestyherself。Asthegirls”voicesrose，halfsobbingly，intheoldfamiliarair，belovedofeveryEnglish-
speakingperson，tearsfairlyrandowntheirfairbutsadyoungfaces，andIcouldnothelpbeingstruckwiththepathosofthescene。
Butallthingsconsidered，thesewerereallyhappydaysforallofus，atanyrateincomparisonwiththosewehadpreviouslyexperienced。Wehadbythistimequiteanorchestraofreedflutesandthefiddlesaforesaid，whosestringswereofgutprocuredfromthenativewild-cat——averylittlefellow，bytheway，aboutthesizeofafair-sizedrat；Ifoundhimeverywhere。Thesecatsweregreatthieves，andonlyroamedaboutatnight。Itrappedthemingreatnumbersbymeansofaningeniousnativearrangementofpointedsticksofwood，which，whileprovidinganeasyentrance，yetconfrontedtheoutgoingcatwithaformidablechevaux-de-frise。
ThebaitIusedwasmeatinanalmostputridcondition。
Icouldnothandletheprisonersinthemorning，becausetheyscratchedandbitquitesavagely；Ithereforeforkedthemoutwithaspear。Asregardstheirownprey，theywagedperpetualwarfareagainstthenativerats。Theskinofthesecatswasbeautifullysoft，andaltogethertheywerequiteleopardsinminiature。Bestofall，theymadeexcellenteating，themoresointhattheirfleshwasalmosttheonlymeatdishthathadnottheeternalflavouroftheeucalyptusleaf，whichallourother“joints“possessed。Thegirlsneverknewthattheywereeatingcats，tosaynothingaboutrats。Inordertosavetheirfeelings，Itoldthemthatboth“dishes“weresquirrels！
Myhairatthistimewasevenlongerthanthegirls”own，soitisnowonderthatitprovidedbowsforthefiddles。Mycompanionstookgreatdelightindressingmyabsurdlylongtresses，usingcombswhichIhadmadeoutofporcupines”quills。
OurcontentmentwasagreatsourceofjoytoYamba，whowasnowfullyconvincedthatIwouldsettledownamongherpeopleforever。
Theblackswerestrangelyaffectedbyoursinging。Anykindofcivilisedmusicorsingingwastothemanathema。Whattheylikedbestwastheharshuproarmadebypiecesofwoodbeatentogether，ortheweirdjabberingandchantingthataccompaniedabigfeast。
Oursingingtheylikenedtothehowlingofthedingoes！Theyweresincere，hardlycomplimentary。
ElsewhereIhavealludedtothehorrorthegirlshadofbeingleftalone。WheneverIwentoffwiththemenonahuntingexpeditionI
lefttheminchargeofmyotherwomen-folk，whowerethoroughlycapableoflookingafterthem。Ialsopersuadedthenativestokeepsomedistanceawayfromourdwelling，particularlywhentheywereabouttoholdacannibalfeast，sothatthegirlswerenevershockedbysuchafearfulsight。Certainlytheyhadknownofcannibalismintheiroldcamp，butItoldthemthatmyownpeoplewereasuperiorraceofnatives，whowerenotaddictedtothisloathsomepractice。
Althoughwehadlongsincelostcountofthedays，wealwayssetasideonedayineverysevenandrecogniseditasSunday，whenweheldakindofserviceinourspacioushut。Besidesthegirls，Yamba，andmyself，onlyourownwomen-folkwereadmitted，becauseI
wascarefulnevertoattempttoproselytiseanyofthenatives，orweanthemfromtheirancientbeliefs。Thegirlswerereligiousintheverybestsenseoftheterm，andtheyknewtheOldandNewTestamentsalmostbyheart。TheyreadtheLessons，andIconfesstheytaughtmeagooddealaboutreligionwhichIhadnotknownpreviously。BlanchewouldreadaloudthemosttouchingandbeautifulpassagesfromtheBible；andevenasIwriteIcanrecallherpale，earnestface，withitspatheticexpressionandherlow，musicalvoice，asshedweltuponpassageslikelytoconsoleandstrengthenusinourterribleposition。Thequietlittlediscussionswehadtogetherontheologicalsubjectssettled，onceandforall，manyquestionsthathadpreviouslyvexedmeagreatdeal。
BothgirlsweredevotedadherentsoftheChurchofEngland，andcouldrepeatmostoftheChurchservicesentirelyfrommemory。
Theywantedtodoalittlemissionaryworkamongtheblacks，butI
gentlytoldthemIthoughtthisinadvisable，asanyruptureinourfriendlyrelationswiththenativeswouldhavebeenquitefatal——ifnottoourlives，atleasttoourchancesofreachingcivilisation。
Moreover，mypeoplewerenotbyanymeanswithoutakindofreligionoftheirown。TheybelievedintheomnipotenceofaGreatSpiritinwhosehandstheirdestiniesrested；andhimtheyworshippedwithmuchthesameadorationwhichChristiansgivetoGod。ThefundamentaldifferencewasthatthesentimentanimatingthemwasnotLOVE，butFEAR：propitiationratherthanadoration。
WesangtheusualoldhymnsatourSundayservices，andIsoonlearnedtosingthemmyself。Onmypart，Itaughtthegirlssuchsimplehymnsastheonecommencing“Unenacelleensilence，“whichIhadlearntatSunday-schoolinSwitzerland。ItisinterestingtonotethatthiswasBruno”sfavouriteair。PoorBruno！hetookmoreorlesskindlytoallsongs——excepttheSwissjodellings，whichhesimplydetested。WhenIstartedoneoftheseplaintivedittiesBrunowouldfirstprotestbybarkinghisloudest，andifI
persisted，hewouldsimplygoawayindisgusttosomeplacewherehecouldnothearthehatedsounds。OnSundayeveningwegenerallyheldaprayer-serviceinthehut，andatsuchtimesofferedupmostferventsupplicationsfordelivery。
OftenIhaveseenthesepoorgirlsliftinguptheirwholesoulsinprayer，quiteobliviousforthemomentoftheirsurroundings，untilrecalledtoasenseoftheirawfulpositionsbythecrashofanunusuallylargewaveontherocks。
ThegirlsknewnomoreofAustraliangeographythanIdid；andwhenImentionthatImerelyhadavagueideathatthegreatcitiesofthecontinent——Sydney，Adelaide，Perth，andMelbourne——alllayinasoutherlydirection，youmayimaginehowdensewasmyignoranceofthegreatisland。Iamnowthestrongestpossibleadvocateofasoundgeographicaltraininginschools。
Onordinarydaysweindulgedinavarietyofgames，theprincipalonebeingaformof“rounders。”Imadeaballoutofopossumskin，stuffedwiththelightsoftbarkofthepaper-tree，andstitchedwithgut。Weusedayam-sticktostrikeitwith。Mynativewomenattendantsoftenjoinedinthefun，andouranticsprovidedavastamountofamusementfortherestofthetribe。Thegirlstaughtmecricket，andinduetimeItriedtoinducetheblackstoplaytheBritishnationalgame，butwithlittlesuccess。Wemadethenecessarybatsandstumpsoutofhardacacia，whichIcutdownwithmytomahawk。Thenativesthemselves，however，madebatsmuchbetterthanmine，simplybywhittlingflattheirwaddies；andtheysoonbecameexpertbatsmen。Butunfortunatelytheyfailedtoseewhytheyshouldrunaftertheball，especiallywhentheyhadknockeditaverygreatdistanceaway。Runningaboutinthismanner，theysaid，wasonlyfitworkforwomen，andwasquitebeneaththeirdignity。YambaandIfielded，butsoonfoundourselvesunequaltothetask，owingtotheenormousdistanceswehadtotravelinsearchoftheball。Thereforewesoonabandonedthecricket，andtookupfootball，whichwasverymuchmoresuccessful。
Wehadanicelargefootballmadeofsoftgoose-skinstuffedwiththepaperbark；andinconsideringourgameyoumustalwaysbearinmindthatbootsorfootgearofanykindwerequiteunknown。Thegreatdrawbackoffootball，fromthenativepointofview，wasthatitentailedsomuchexertion，whichcouldbeotherwiseexpendedinafarmoreprofitableandpracticalmanner。Theyarguedthatiftheyputtheexertionrequisiteforagameoffootballintoahuntforfood，theywouldhaveenoughmeattolastthemformanydays。
Itwas，ofcourse，utterlyimpossibletobringthemroundtomyviewofsportsandgames。Withregardtotheabandonedcricket，theydelightedinhittingtheballandincatchingit——oh！theywerewonderfullyexpertatthis——butastorunningaftertheball，thiswasquiteimpossible。
AboutthistimethegirlsshowedmethestepsofanIrishjig，whichIquicklypickedupandsoonbecamequiteanadept，muchtothedelightofthenatives，whonevertiredofwatchingmygyrations。Ikepttheminaconstantstateofwonderment，sothatevenmyveryhair——nowaboutthreefeetlong——commandedtheirrespectandadmiration！
SometimesIwouldwaltzwiththeyoungergirl，whilsthersisterwhistledanoldfamiliarair。WhenIdanced，theblackswouldsquatinahugecirclearoundme；thoseinthefrontrankkeepingtimebybeatingdrumsthatIhadmadeandpresentedtothem。ThebodiesofthedrumsweremadefromsectionsoftreeswhichIfoundalreadyhollowedoutbytheants。Thesewonderfullittleinsectswouldborethroughandthroughthecoreofthetrunk，leavingonlytheoutershell，whichsoonbecamelightanddry。Ithenscrapedoutwithmytomahawkanyoftheroughinnerpartthatremained，andstretchedovertheendsofeachsectionapairofthethinnestwallabyskinsIcouldfind；theseskinswereheldtautbysinewsfromthetailofakangaroo。Itriedemu-skinsforthedrum-heads，butfoundtheywerenogood，astheysoonbecameperforatedwhenI
scrapedthem。
Neveradaypassedbutweeagerlyscannedtheglisteningseainthehopeofsightingapassingsail。Onevesselactuallycamerightintoourbayfromthenorth，butshesuddenlyturnedrightbackonthecourseshehadcome。Shewasacutter-riggedvessel，paintedagreyish-white，andofaboutfiftytonsburden。ShewasprobablyaGovernmentvessel——possiblytheClaudHamilton，aSouthAustralianrevenueboatstationedatPortDarwin——assheflewtheBritishensignatthemast-head；whereasapearlerwouldhaveflownitatthepeak。ThemomentwecaughtsightofthatshipIamafraidwelostourheads。Wescreamedaloudwithexcitement，andranlikemadpeopleupanddownthebeach，wavingbranchesandyellinglikemaniacs。Ievenwavedwildlymylong，luxurianthair。
Unfortunately，thewindwasagainstus，blowingfromtheWSW。Wewereassistedinourfranticdemonstrationbyquiteacrowdofnativeswithbranches；andIthinkitpossiblethat，evenifwehadbeenseen，thepeopleontheshipwouldhavemistakenoureffortsforamorehostiledemonstration。
Whenitwastoolate，andtheshipalmostoutofsight，IsuddenlyrealisedthatIhadmadeanotherfatalmistakeinhavingtheblackswithme。HadIandthetwogirlsbeenaloneonthebeachIfeelsuretheofficersoftheshipwouldhavedetectedourwhiteskinsthroughtheirglasses。But，indeed，wemaywellhaveescapednoticealtogether。
TherewasaterriblescenewhenthesupposedGovernmentvesselturnedbackonhercourseandpassedswiftlyoutofsight。Thegirlsthrewthemselvesfacedownwardsonthebeach，andweptwildlyandhystericallyintheverydepthsofviolentdespair。Icanneverhopetotellyouwhatabitterandagonisingexperienceitwas——theabruptchangefromdeliriousexcitementatseeingashipsteeringrightintoourbay，tothedespairingshockofbeholdingitturnawayfromusevenquickerthanitcame。
CHAPTERXII
Thegirlsinsun-bonnets——Iadvisetheblacks——Fatalexcitement——
Lastmoments——Thecatastrophe——Icannotrealiseit——Afearfulcontrast”Onlyawitheredflower“——Bruno”sgrief——Steeringbytheant-hills——Avoidingtheforests——Myriadsofrats——Theflowingofthetide——Ratsandthenativechildren——Cloudsoflocusts——Fishfromtheclouds。
Theweeksgraduallygrewintomonths，andstillwewereapparentlynonearercivilisationthanever。AgainandagainwemadeexpeditionstoseewhetheritwerepossibleforthegirlstoreachPortDarwinoverland；but，unfortunately，IhadpaintedfortheminsuchvividcoloursthetorturesofthirstwhichIhadundergoneonmyjourneytowardsCapeYork，thattheywerealwaysafraidtoleavewhatwasnowtheirhometogoforthunprovidedintotheunknown。
Sometimesafitofdepressionsoacutewouldcomeoverthem，thattheywouldshutthemselvesupintheirroomandnotshowthemselvesforawholeday。
Wehadaveryplentifulsupplyoffood，butonethingthegirlsmissedverymuchwasmilk，——whichofcourse，wasanunheard-ofluxuryintheseregions。Wehadafairlygoodsubstitute，however，inacertaincreamyandbitter-tastingjuicewhichweobtainedfromapalm-tree。This“milk，“whenwegotusedtoit，wefoundexcellentwhenusedwiththegreencorn。Thecorn-patchwascarefullyfencedinfromkangaroos，andotherwisetakencareof；
andImayhereremarkthatImadeforksandplatesofwoodformyfaircompanions，andalsobuiltthemaproperelevatedbed，withfragranteucalyptusleavesandgrassforbedding。Forthecoldnightstherewasacoveringofskinrugs，withanoverallquiltmadefromthewildflax。
Thegirlsmadethemselvessun-bonnetsoutofpalm-leaves；whiletheirmostfashionablecostumewascomposedoftheskinsofbirdsandmarsupials，cunninglystitchedtogetherbyYamba。DuringthecoldwintermonthsofJulyandAugustwecampedatamoreshelteredspot，alittletothenorth，wheretherewasarangeofmountains，whoseprincipalpeakwasshapedlikeasugar-loaf。
Ifrequentlyaccompaniedthewarriorsontheirfightingexpeditions，butdidnotusemystilts，mainlybecauseweneveragainmetsopowerfulanenemyaswehadbattledwithonthatmemorableoccasion。Mypeoplewereoftenvictorious，butonceortwicewegotbeatenbyreasonoftheothersidehavingdrawnfirstblood。Mynativestooktheirreverseswithaverygoodgrace，andwereneververydepressedorinclinedtoviewmewithlessfavourbecauseoftheirwantofsuccess。Wewerealwaysthebestoffriends，andIevenventuredgraduallytoweanthemfromcannibalism。
Iknewtheyatehumanflesh，notbecausetheyfelthungry，butbecausetheyhopedtoacquiretheadditionalvalourofthewarriortheywereeating。Ithereforediplomaticallypointedouttothemthat，inthefirstplace，allkindsofdreadfuldiseaseswhichthedeadmanmighthavehadwouldcertainlybecommunicatedtothem，andinthisIwasprovidentiallyborneoutbyastrangeepidemic。
ThesecondconsiderationImentionedwasthatbymakinganklets，bracelets，andotherornamentsoutofthedeadbraves”hair，theycouldacquireforthemselvesinamuchmoreefficaciousmannerthevalourandotherestimablequalitiesofthedepartedwarrior。
WhilstIwasonthissubjectIalsoadvisedthemstronglyandimpressivelyneverwantonlytoattackwhitemen，butrathertomakefriendlyadvancestowardsthem。Ioftenwondernowwhetherexplorerswhofollowinmytrackwillnoticetheabsenceofcannibalismandthefriendlyoverturesofthenatives。
Twohalfpainful，halfmerryyears，passedby。Wehadseenseveralshipspassingoutatsea，andonmorethanoneoccasionYambaandI，taughtbypreviouslessons，hadjumpedintoourcanoeandpulledformanymilesinthedirectionofthesail，leavingthegirlswatchinguseagerlyfromtheshore。Butitwasalwaysuseless，andwewerecompelledtoreturnwithouthavingaccomplishedourpurpose；wemerelyinflictedadditionalpainonourselves。
Inowcometowhatispossiblythemostpainfulepisodeofmycareer，andonewhichIfinditimpossibletodiscuss，orwriteabout，withoutveryrealpain。EvenatthisdistanceoftimeI
cannotrecallthattragicdaywithoutbittertearscomingintomyeyes，andbeingafflictedwithagnawingremorsewhichcannevercompletelydieinmyheart。Donot，Ibegofyou，inconsideringmyactions，askmewhyIdidnotdothis，orthat，ortheother。
InterriblecrisesIbelievewebecomealmostmechanical，andarenotresponsibleforwhatwedo。Ihaveoftenthoughtthat，apartfromourownvolition，eachsetofnervesandfibresinourbeinghasawillofitsown。
Well，onegloriouslyfinedaywesightedashipgoingveryslowlyacrossthegulf，severalmilesaway。WouldtoGodwehadneverseenher！Wewerethrown，asusual，intoaperfectfrenzyofwildexcitement，andthegirlsdashedhereandtherelikepeoplepossessed。Ofcourse，Ideterminedtointerceptthevesselifpossible，andthegirlsatonceexpressedtheirintentionofcomingwithme。Iattemptedearnestlytodissuadethemfromthis，buttheyweptpitifullyandimploredmetoletthemcome。Theywerefilledwithanungovernablelongingtogetaway——thesamelonging，perhaps，thatanimatesacagedbirdwho，althoughwellfedandkindlytreated，soarsawaywithoutamoment”shesitationwhenanopportunityoccurs。Quiteagainstmybetterjudgment，Iletthemcome。Everysecondwaspreciousandeveryargumentfutile。WhileYambawasgettingreadythecanoeIrushedfromonegroupofnativestotheother，coaxing，promising，imploring。IpointedouttothemthattheycouldpropeltheircatamaransfasterthanIcouldpaddlemycanoe；andIpromisedthemthatifIreachedtheshipI
wouldsendthempresentsfromthewhiteman”slandoftomahawksandknives；gailycolouredclothsandgorgeousjewellery。Buttheywereonlytooreadytohelpmewithoutanyoftheseinducements；
andinanincrediblyshorttimeatleasttwentycatamarans，eachcontainingoneortwomen，putofffromtheshoreinmywakeandmadedirectlytowardstheship，whilstIstruckoffatatangentsoastoheadheroff。Inowseethatwithoutdoubtwemusthavepresentedaveryformidableappearancetothepeopleonthevesselaswepaddledoverthesunlitseas，racingoneanother，yelling，andgesticulatinglikemadmen。Ofcourse，thepeopleonboardquitenaturallythoughttheywerebeingattackedbyasavageflotilla。ButintheexcitementofthemomentInevergavethisathought。HadIonlyleftmyfaithfulnativesbehindallmighthavebeenwell。YambaandIkeptthecanoewellahead，andwereachedtheneighbourhoodoftheshipfirst。
Asweapproached，theexcitementofthegirlswaspainfultowitness。Theycouldscarcelycontainthemselvesforjoy；andasI
forciblypreventedthemfromstandingupinthefrailcanoe，theycontentedthemselveswithfranticallywavingtheirhandsandscreamingthemselveshoarse。
NearingthevesselIwassurprisedtoseethetop-sailbeinghoisted，but，strangetosay，thecrewkeptwelloutofsight。
Thiswaseasytodo，consideringthespreadofcanvas。ShewasnotaMalayvessel，beingdecidedlyofEuropeanrig。Shewasonlyasmallcraft，ofperhapstenorfifteentons，withonemastcarryingamain-sailandstay-sail，inadditiontothetop-sailthathadbeenhoistedasweapproached。Tous，however，shewasa“ship。”
Wewerenowaboutonehundredandfiftyyardsaway，andIsuddenlyleapttomyfeetandcoo-eedseveraltimes。Stillnooneshowedhimself，andnotasoulwasvisibleonboard。Myownjoyfulexcitementspeedilyturnedtoheart-sickness，alarm，andeventerror。Bythistimetheflotillaofcatamaranswasclosebehindme；andjustasIwasabouttositdownandtaketomypaddleagain，soastoadvancestillclosertothevessel，theloudreportofagunwasheard；andthen——well，whatfollowednextisexceedinglydifficultformetodescribeaccurately。WhetherIwaswoundedbytheshot，orwhetherthegirlssuddenlystoodup，causingmetolosemybalanceandfallonthesideofthecanoeandcutmythigh，Idonotknow。
Atanyrate，IcrashedheavilyoverboardinspiteofYamba”sdesperateattempttosaveme。ThenextmomentIhadforgottenallabouttheship，andwasonlyconsciousofYambaswimmingclosebymyside，andoccasionallygrippingmylonghairwhenshethoughtI
wasgoingunder。Werightedthecanoeandclimbedinasquicklyaswecould。IthinkIwasdazedandincapableofanycoherentthought。AsIcollapsedinthebottomofthecanoe，IsuddenlyrealisedthatYambaandIwerealone；andsittingup，Igasped，“Thegirls，thegirls！Wherearethey？Oh，wherearethey？Wemustsavethem！“
Alas！theyhadsunkbeneaththesmilingwaves，andtheyneverroseagain。True，theywereexpertswimmers，butIsupposetheterribleexcitement，followedbythesuddenshock，wastoomuchforthem，andastheysankforthefirsttimetheyprobablyclungtoeachotherintheembraceofdeath。Godknowsbest。PerhapsitwasbetterthatHeshouldtakemylovedonesfrommethanthattheyshouldbedraggedthroughtheterribleyearsthatfollowed。
ButforalongtimeIutterlyrefusedtobelievethatmydarlingswerelost——theyweretrulyassisterstome；andYambaandIandthenativesdivedforthemtimeaftertime，searchingtheseaineverydirection。Butatlength，seeingthatIwasexhausted，Yambaforciblydetainedme，andtoldmethatImyselfwouldinevitablydrownifIwentintothewateragain。Thewoundinmythigh(Iamuncertaintothisdaywhetheritwastheresultofthegun-shotormerecollisionwiththeroughgunwaleofthecanoe)wasbleedingfreely；andasitwasalsopointedouttomethattherewasaverystrongandswiftcurrentatthisspot，Iallowedmyselftobetakenawaywithoutanyfurtheropposition。
IsimplyCOULDnotrealisemybereavement。Itseemedtooterribleandstunningtothink，thatwhenGodhadprovidedmewiththesetwocharmingcompanions，whowereallinalltomeeverymomentofmyexistence，asaconsolationforthehorrorsIhadgonethrough——itseemedimpossible，Isay，thattheyshouldbesnatchedfrommejustattheverymomentwhensalvationseemedwithinourreach。Everydetailoftheincidentpassedbeforemymentalvision，butIcouldnotgraspit——Icouldnotseemtothinkitreal。Icanneverexplainit。Thesepoorgirlsweremoretomethanlovingsisters。
Theyturnedtheblacknightofmydesolateexistenceintosunshine，andtheywereperpetuallydevisingsomesweetlittlesurprise——somelittlethingwhichwouldpleasemeandaddadditionalbrightnesstoourdailylives。Thisdreadfulthinghappenedmanyyearsago，buttothisday，andtothedayofmydeath，IfeelsureIshallsufferagoniesofgriefandremorse(Iblamemyselffornothavingforbiddenthemtogointhecanoe)forthisterriblecatastrophe。
Afterwereturnedtotheland，Ihauntedthesea-shoreforhours，hopingtoseethebodiesrisetothesurface；butIwatchedinvain。Whenatlengththefullmagnitudeofthedisasterdawneduponme，despair——theutterabandonmentofdespair——filledmysoulforthefirsttime。Neveragainwouldmysweetcompanionscheermysolitarymoments。NeveragainwouldIseetheirlovedforms，orheartheirlow，musicalvoices。Neveragainwouldweplaytogetherlikechildrenonthesand。Neveragainwouldwebuildaerialcastlesaboutthebrightandhappyfuturethatwasinstoreforus，lookingbackfromthebourneofcivilisationonourfantasticadventures。NeveragainshouldwecompareourlotwiththatofRobinsonCrusoeortheSwissFamilyRobinson。
Mybrightdreamhadpassedaway，andwithasuddenrevulsionoffeelingIrealisedthatthepeoplearoundmewererepulsivecannibals，amongwhomIwasapparentlydoomedtopasstheremainderofmyhideousdays——afateinfinitelymoreterriblethanthatofjoiningmydarlingsbeneaththerestlesswaves，thatbeatforeveronthatlonelyshore。IwasalongtimebeforeIcouldevenbringmyselftobethankfulforYamba”sescape，whichwasnodoubtdreadfullyungratefulofme。Icanonlyaskyourpityandsympathyinmyterribleaffliction。Whatmademysorrowandremorsethemorepoignant，wasthereflectionthatifIhadretainedoneatomofmyself-possessionIwouldneverhavedreamedofapproachingthelittleEuropeanvesselattheheadofawholeflotillaofcatamarans，filledwithyellingandgesticulatingsavages。Astothepeopleonboardthevessel，Iexoneratedthemthen，andI
exoneratethemnow，fromallblame。HadyouorIbeenonboard，weshouldprobablyhavedoneexactlythesamethingunderthecircumstances。
Clearlytheonlyreasonableplanofactionwastohavegonealone；
butthen，atcriticaltimes，eventhewisestamongusisapttolosehishead。GodknowsIpaiddearlyenoughformylackofjudgmentonthismelancholyoccasion。
