Mywoundwasnotatallserious，and，thankstoYamba”scare，itquicklyhealed，andIwasabletogetaboutoncemore。
ButIoughttotellyouthatwhenwereturnedIcouldnotbeartogointoourhut，whereeverylittlebunchofwitheredflowers，everygarmentofskin，andeveryimplement，proclaimedaloudthestunninglossIhadsustained。No，Iwentbackdirecttothecampofthenatives，andremainedamongthemuntilthemomentcameformydeparture。Ithinkitwasinthesoft，stillnightsthatIfeltitmost。IwepttillIwasasweakasababy。OhthetormentsofremorseIendured——thefierceresentmentagainstanall-wiseProvidence！“Alone！alone！alone！“Iwouldshriekinanagonyofwretchedness；“Gone！gone！gone！Oh，comebacktome，comebacktome，Icannotliveherenow。”
AndIsoonrealisedthatitwasimpossibleformetoremainthereanylonger。Therewasmuchweepingandlamentationamongthenativewomen，butIguesseditwasnotsomuchonaccountofthepoorgirls，asoutofsympathyforthelossthegreatwhitechiefhadsustained。IthinkYambawentamongthem，andpointedoutthemagnitudeofthedisaster；otherwisetheywouldhavefailedtograspit。Whatwasthelossofawomanortwotothem？Ifelt，I
say，thatIcouldnotsettledowninmyhutagain，andIwasconsumedwithanintenselongingtogoawayintothewildernessandtherehidemygrief。Inmakinganattempttoreachcivilisation，I
thoughtthistimeofgoingduesouth，sothatperhapsImightultimatelyreachSydney，orMelbourne，orAdelaide。Iarguedthuscasuallytomyself，littledreamingofthevastdistances——mountainrangesandwaterlessdeserts——thatseparatedmefromthesegreatcities。ForallIknew，Imighthavecomeupontheminafewweeks！AllIwascertainofwasthattheylaysomewheretothesouth。Timewasnoobjecttome，andImightaswellbewalkinginthedirectionofcivilisationasremaininginidlemiseryinmybayhome，broodingoverthedisasterthathadcloudedmylifeandmadeitinfinitelymoreintolerablethanitwasbeforethegirlscame。
Yambainstantlyagreedtoaccompanyme，andafewweeksafterthelossofthegirlswestartedoutoncemoreonourwanderings，accompaniedbymyeverfaithfuldog。
Brunoalsomissedhisyoungmistresses。Hewouldmoanandcrypitifully，andrunaimlesslyupanddownthebeachlookingouttosea。Ah！hadIonlytakenBrunoonthatfatalday，hewouldnothaveletmydearonesdrown！
AsIhavesaid，Iremainedonlyafewweeksinmybayhome，andthendeparted。Theblacks，too，leftthespot，fortheyneverstaywheretheshadowofdeathlies，fearingtheunpleasantattentionsofthespiritsofthedeceased。Thepartingbetweenmeandmypeoplewasamostaffectingone，thewomenfairlyhowlinginlamentations，whichcouldbeheardagreatdistanceaway。Theyhadshownsuchgenuinesympathywithmeinmymisfortunethatourfriendshiphadverymateriallyincreased；butinspiteofthisgoodfeeling，IknewIcouldneverbehappyamongthemagain。
Sowestartedoffintotheunknown，withnomoreprovisionorequipmentthanifweweregoingforastrollofamileorso。
Yambacarriedheryam-stickandbasket，andIhadmyusualweapons——
tomahawkandstilettoinmybelt，andbowandarrowsinmyhand。
Ineverdreamedwhenwestartedthattostrikeduesouthwouldtakeusintotheunexploredheartofthecontinent。Dayafterday，however，wewalkedsteadilyonourcourse，steeringinaverycuriousmanner。Wewereguidedbytheant-hills，whicharealwaysbuiltfacingtheeast，whilstthetopinclinestowardsthenorth；
andweknewthatthescratchesmadeontreesbytheopossumswereinvariablyonthenorthside。
Weoftensteeredbythehabitsofinsects，wasps”nests，andothercuriousauguries，fixingourpositionatnightbythestarsandinthedaytimebyourownshadows。YambaalwayswentinfrontandI
followed。Thebushteemedwithfruitsandroots。AfterleavingourowncampintheCambridgeGulfregionwestruckafineelevatedland，excellentlywellwatered；andlateronwefollowedtheVictoriaRiverinasouth-easterlydirectionthroughpartoftheNorthernTerritoriesofSouthAustralia。Weatlengthstruckapeculiarcountrycoveredwithcoarsegrasstenfeetortwelvefeethigh——notunlikethesugar-canewhichIafterwardssaw，butmuchmoredense。
Itwas，ofcourse，impossibleforustopursueourcourseduesouth，owingtotheforestsandrangeswhichweencountered；wehad，asamatteroffact，tofollownativeandkangarootrackswherevertheytookus——east，west，andevennorthoccasionally，generallytowater-holes。Theprogressofthenativesissimplyfromonewatersupplytoanother。Butasfaraspossiblewepursuedourwaysouth。YouwillunderstandthatthiskindoftravellingwasverydifferentfromthatwhichweexperiencedontheVictoriaRiver——which，bytheway，traversedaveryfinecountry。
Asweascendeditwepassedmanyisolatedhillsofperhapsafewhundredfeet，andnowheredidIseeanyscruborspinifex。
AfterleavingtheVictoriawecameuponamoreelevatedplateaucoveredwithratherfinebutshortgrass；thetreeswerescarcerhere，butfinerandbigger。Therewasplentyofwaterinthenativewellsandinthehollows，althoughwefrequentlyhadtoremoveafewstonestogetatit。Therewereplentyofkangaroosandemusabout，aswellasturkeys；theselatterprovideduswithanunwonteddish，tosaynothingoftheirdeliciouseggs。
Anotherreasonforourcomingroundoutofourcoursewhenwecametoforestswasbecausebutlittlefoodwasfoundinthem。
Kangaroosandotheranimalswereseldomorneverfoundthere：theyaboundedusuallyinthemorescrubbycountry。Ourprogresswasveryleisurely，and，aswemettribeaftertribe，weingratiatedourselveswiththemandcampedattheirwells。Occasionallywecameuponcuriousriversandlagoonsthatranintotheearthanddisappearedinthemostmysteriousway，onlytoreappearsomedistancefartheron。Ofcourse，Imaybemistakeninthis，butsuchatanyratewasmyimpression。
Onedayasweweremarchingsteadilyalong，Yambastartledmebycallingoutexcitedly，“Upatree，——quick！Upatree！“Andsosayingshescamperedupthenearesttreeherself。Now，bythistimeIhadbecomesoaccustomedtoactinguponheradviceunquestioningly，thatwithoutwaitingtohearanymoreImadeadashforthenearestlikelytreeandclimbedintoitasfastasI
could。Hadshecalledouttome，“Leapintotheriver，“Ishouldhavedonesowithoutaskingaquestion。WhenIwassafelyinthebranches，however，Icalledouttoher(hertreewasonlyafewyardsaway)，“Whatisthematter？“Shedidnotreply，butpointedtoavaststretchofundulatingcountryoverwhichwehadjustcome；itwasfairlywellwooded。Itlingersinmymindasaregioninwhichonewasabletoseeafairlylongwayineverydirection——
averyunusualfeatureinthelandof“NeverNever“！
Ilooked，butatfirstcouldseenothing。Presently，however，itseemedtomethatthewholecountryinthefardistancewascoveredwithablackmantle，WHICHAPPEAREDTOBEMADEUPOFLIVING
CREATURES。
Steadilyandrapidlythisgreatmysteriouswavesweptalongtowardsus；andseeingthatIwasbothpuzzledandalarmed，YambagavemetounderstandthatWESHOULDPRESENTLYBESURROUNDEDBYMYRIADSOF
RATS，stretchingawayineverydirectionlikealivingsea。ThephenomenonwasevidentlyknowntoYamba，andshewentontoexplainthatthesecreaturesweremigratingfromthelowlandstothemountains，knowingbyinstinctthattheseasonofthegreatfloodswasathand。Thatweirdandextraordinarysightwillliveinmymemoryforever。Iquestionwhetheraspectaclesofantasticandawe-inspiringwaseverdealtwith，eveninthepagesofquasi-
scientificfiction。Itwasimpossibleformetoobserveinwhatordertheratswereadvancing，onaccountofthegreatstretchofcountrywhichtheycovered。Soon，however，theirshrillsquealsweredistinctlyheard，andafewminuteslatertheedgeofthatstrangetidestruckourtreeandsweptpastuswithaforceimpossibletorealise。Nolivingthingwasspared。Snakes，lizards——ay，eventhebiggestkangaroos——succumbedafteranineffectualstruggle。Theratsactuallyatethoseoftheirfellowswhoseemedtohesitateorstumble。Thecuriousthingwasthatthegreatarmyneverseemedtostandstill。Itappearedtomethateachratsimplytookabiteatwhateverpreycamehisway，andthenpassedonwiththerest。
Iamunabletosayhowlongtheratswereinpassing——itmighthavebeenanhour。Yambatoldmethattherewouldhavebeennohelpforushadwebeenovertakenonfootbythesemigratoryrodents。ItismyopinionthatnocreatureinNature，fromtheelephantdownwards，couldhavelivedinthatseaofrats。Icouldnotseethegroundbetweenthem，socloselyweretheypacked。Theonlycreaturesthatescapedthemwerebirds。Theincessantsquealingandthepatteroftheirlittlefeetmadeanextraordinarysound，comparableonlytothesighingofthewindorthebeatofagreatrain-storm。Ioughttomention，though，thatIwasunableaccuratelytodeterminethesoundmadebytheadvancingratsowingtomypartialdeafness，whichyouwillrememberwascausedbythegreatwavewhichdashedmeontothedeckoftheVeielland，justbeforelandingonthesand-spitintheSeaofTimor。Ioftenfoundthisdeafnessaveryseriousdrawback，especiallywhenhunting。Iwassometimesatalosstohearthe“coo-ee“orcallofmynatives。Fortunatemen！
THEYdidnotevenunderstandwhatdeafnessmeant。Lunacyalsowasunknownamongthem，andsuchathingassuicidenonativecanpossiblygrasporunderstand。InallmywanderingsIonlymetoneidiotordementedperson。Hehadbeenstruckbyafallingtree，andwasworshippedasademi-god！
Whentheratshadpassedby，wewatchedthementeralargecreekandswimacross，afterwhichtheydisappearedinthedirectionofsomerangeswhichwerenotveryfaraway。Theyneverseemedtobreaktheirranks；evenwhenswimming，onebeheldthesamelevelbrownishmassonthesurfaceofthewater。Yambatoldmethatthismigrationofratswasnotatalluncommon，butthatthecreaturesrarelymovedaboutinsuchvastarmiesastheonethathadjustpassed。
Ialsolearnedthatisolatedpartiesofmigratingratswereresponsibleforthehorribledeathsofmanynativechildren，whohad，perhaps，beenleftbehindincampbytheirparents，whohadgoneinsearchofwater。
Uptothistimewehadalwaysfoundfoodplentiful。Onoursouthwardjourneyaparticularlypleasantandconvenientarticleofdietturnedup(orfelldown)intheformoftheMARU，asitiscalled，whichcollectsontheleavesoftreesduringthenight。
Bothinitsappearanceandmannerofcoming，thiscurioussubstancemaybelikenedtothemannathatfellinthewildernessforthebenefitoftheIsraelites。Thismaruisawhitishsubstance，notunlikerawcottoninappearance。Thenativesmakebreadofit；itisrathertasteless，butisverynutritious，andonlyobtainedatcertaintimes——forexample，itneverfallsatthetimeoffullmoon，andispeculiartocertaindistricts。
Duringthisgreatsouthwardjourneymanystrangethingshappened，andwesawahostofcurioussights。IonlywishIcouldtrustmymemorytoplacetheseintheirproperchronologicalorder。
Wehadseveralvisitationsoflocusts；andononeoccasion，somemonthsafterleavinghome，theysettleduponthecountryaroundussothicklyasactuallytomakealivingbridgeacrossalargecreek。OnseveraloccasionsIhavehadtodigthroughalivingcrustoftheseinsects，sixoreightinchesthick，inordertoreachwateratawater-hole。Theselocustsareofayellowish-
browncolour(manyaregrey)，andtheyrangeinlengthfromtwotofourinches。
Astheyriseintheairtheymakeastrangecracking，snappingsound；andtheywereoftenpresentinsuchmyriadsasactuallytohidethefaceofthesun。Ifoundthemexcellenteatingwhengrilledonred-hotstones。
Yamba，ofcourse，didallthecooking，makingafirewithherever-
readyfire-stick，whichnonativewomaniseverwithout；andwhileshelookedafterthesupplyofrootsandopossummeat，Igenerallyprovidedthesnakes，emus，andkangaroos。OurshelteratnightconsistedmerelyofasmallGUNYAHmadeofboughs，andweleftthefireburninginfrontofthiswhenweturnedin。
Whenwehadbeenfullythreemonthsout，averyextraordinarythinghappened，whichtomanypeoplewouldbeincrediblewereitnotrecognisedasawell-knownAustralianphenomenon。Wehadreachedaverydryandopengrasscountry，wheretherewasnotatreetobeseenformilesandmiles。Suddenly，asYambaandIweresquattingonthegroundenjoyingameal，wesawastrangeblackcloudloomingonthehorizon，andhaileditsadventwiththeverygreatestdelight，inasmuchasitpresagedrain——whichisalwayssovitallyimportantavisitationinthe“NeverNever。”Wewaitedinanticipationuntilthecloudwasrightoverourheads。Thenthedelugecommenced，andtomyunboundedamazementIfoundthatwiththerainLIVEFISHASBIGASWHITEBAITWEREFALLINGFROMTHE
CLOUDS！Whenthiswonderfulrain-stormhadpassed，largepoolsofwaterwereleftonthesurfaceoftheground，andmostofthesewerefairlyalivewithfish。Thissurface-water，however，evaporatedinthecourseofafewdays，andthen，astheblazingsunbeatdownuponthefish-coveredcountry，wefoundtheregiongrowingquiteintolerableonaccountoftheawfulstench。
Talkingofstorms，IhaveseenitstatedthattheAustraliannativesareinastateofhighgleewhenevertheyhearthunder。
Thisisperfectlytrue，butIhaveneverseenanyexplanationofthisjoy。Itissimpleenough。Thenativesknowthatthunderpresagesrain，whichisalwaysablessingofgreatpriceinthatthirstycountry。
IthinkthiswasthefirsttimeIhadactuallySEENitrainfish。
ButIhadoftenbeensurprised，tofindwater-holes，andeventhepoolsingrassyplains，literallyalivewithfishafewdaysafterastorm。Andtheygrewwithastoundingrapidity，providedthewaterdidnotevaporate。ThiswasinthevicinityofmyCambridgeGulfhome。
Weremainedintheneighbourhoodforsometime，livingonamostwelcomefishdiet。Veryfrequentlyinourwanderingswewereprovidedwithanotherdaintyintheshapeofaworm，which，whenbroiledovercharcoal，hadtheflavourofawalnut。
Thesewormswefoundinthegrasstrees，whichgrowtoaheightoftentotwentyfeet，andhavebaretrunkssurmountedbywhatlooksatadistancelikeabigbunchofdroopingbulrushes。Thewormswereofawhitishcolour，andwerealwaysfoundintheinteriorofawell-maturedordecayingstem；sothatallwehadtodowastopushthetreeoverwithourfeetandhelpourselves。
Inthecourseofourwanderingsweusuallywentfromtribetotribe，stayingalittletimewithsome，andwithothersmerelyexchanginggreetings。Withsometribeswewouldperhapstravelalittlewaysouth，andonlypartwiththemwhentheywereabouttostrikenorthwards；andastheircoursewassimplyfromwater-holetowater-hole，asIhavetoldyou，itwasalwaysprettyerratic。
CHAPTERXIII
Myusualintroduction——Aseriousentertainment——Thepowerofthebow——Repulsiveblacks——Mysteriousspears——Waterlesswastes——A
battlewithsnakes——Moreprestige——Rubiesthrownaway——Quarryingextraordinary。
Occasionallyoneofthetribeswoulddisplayhostilitytowardsusatfirstsight，butIgenerallymanagedtoingratiatemyselfintotheirgoodgracesbytheexerciseofalittlediplomacy——andacrobatics。Curiouslyenough，manyofthesetribesdidnotdisplaymuchsurpriseatseeingawhiteman，apparentlyreservingalltheiramazementforBruno”sbarkandthewhiteman”swonderfulperformances。
Imayhereremarkthat，intheeventofourcomingacrossahostiletribewhofoughtshyofmyfriendlyadvances，Iwould，withoutceremony，introducemyselfbydashingintotheirmidstandturningafewsomersaultsorCatherine-wheelssuchastheLondonGAMINS
displayforthebenefitofeasily-pleasedexcursionists。Thisqueerentertainmentusuallycreatedroarsoflaughter，andseteveryoneathisease。
Irememberoncebeingsurprisedbythesuddenappearanceoverthecrestofahillockofabouttwentyblacks，allwellarmedandpresentingratheraformidableappearance。ThemomenttheycaughtsightofYambaandmyselftheyhalted，whereuponIadvancedandcalledouttothemthatIwasafriend，atthesametimeholdingoutmypassportstick。Bytheway，theefficacyofthistalismanvariedaccordingtothetribes。Yambacouldmakeneitherheadnortailofthesepeople；theyjabberedinalanguagequiteunintelligibletoeitherofus。Ithenrevertedtotheinevitablesignlanguage，givingthemtounderstandthatIwishedtosleepwiththemanightortwo；buttheystillcontinuedtobrandishtheirspearsominously。Yambapresentlywhisperedinmyearthatwehadbetternottroublethemanyfurther，astheywereevidentlyinclinedtobepugnacious。Thiswasaveryexceptionalrencontre，becauseIusuallyinducedthenativestositdownandparleywithme，andthenIwouldproducemymysteriousstick。Intheeventofthisprovingoflittleaccount，bothIandBrunowouldwithoutamoment”shesitationplungeintoourperformance。Italwaysbeganwithafewsomersaults。Brunoneedednolookingafter。Heknewhisbusiness，andwentthroughhisownrepertoirewithgreatenergyandexcitement。Theaccompanyingbarkswereprobablyinvoluntary，buttheywereagreathelpinastonishingandimpressingthenatives。
EveninthisinstanceIwasunwillingtoretiredefeated；sosuddenlypullingoutoneofmylittlereedwhistlescapableofproducingtwonotes，Icommencedaviolentjigtomyown“music。”
Theeffectonthescowlingandferocious-lookingblackswasquitemagical。Theyimmediatelythrewdowntheirspearsandlaugheduproariouslyatmyvigorousantics。IdancedtillIwasquitetired，butmanagedtowinduptheentertainmentwithafewsomersaults，whichimpressedthemvastly。
Ihadconquered。WhenIhadfinishedtheyadvancedandgreetedmemostheartily，andfromthatmomentwewerefriends。Ihadcompletelydoneawaywiththeirenmitybymysimpleeffortstoamusethem。Forthemostpart，thiswasmyinvariableexperience。
Thenativesweretheeasiestpeopleintheworldtointerestandamuse，andwhenonceIhadsucceededinwinningtheminthisway，theywereourwarmestfriends。Thisbandofwarriorstookusbacktotheircamping-ground，somemilesaway，andactuallygaveagreatfeastinmyhonourthatevening，chantingthewonderfulthingstheyhadseenuntilfarintothenight。TheplacewhereImettheseblackswasabroken，stony，andhillycountry，which，however，aboundedinrootsandsnakes——especiallysnakes。Myhostshadevidentlyhadarecentbattue，orfirehunt，fortheyhadamostextraordinarystockoffood。SocompletelyhadIwonthemover，thatIactuallyhungupmybowandarrowsalongwiththeirspearsbeforeretiringtorest。Theexpression“hungup“mayseemcurious，soIhastentoexplainthatthenativestieduptheirspearsinbunchesandplacedthemonthescrubbushes。
NextmorningIbroughtdownafewhawksonthewingwithmybowandarrows，andthentheamazementofthenativeswasquitecomicaltowitness。Shootingarrowsinastraightlineastonishedthemsomewhat，butthemorebombasticamongthemwouldsay，“WhyIcandothat，“andtakinghiswoomerahhewouldhurlaspearalongdistance。Notoneofthem，however，wasableTOTHROWASPEAR
UPWARDS，soIscoredovereventhemostredoubtablechiefs。Itmaybewelltoexplain，thatbirdsarealwaystobefoundhoveringaboutanativecamp；theyactasscavengers，andtheirpresenceintheskyisalwaysanindicationthatanencampmentissomewhereinthevicinity。Thesebirdsareespeciallyonthespotwhentheblackssetfiretothebushandorganiseabigbattue。Atsuchtimestheratsandlizardsrushoutintotheopen，andthehawksreapafineharvest。
Mynativesarereferredtoas“blacks，“or“black-fellows，“buttheyarenotreallyBLACK，theirhuebeingratherabrown，rangingfromaverydarkbrown，indeed，toalmostthelightnessofaMalay。
Ifoundthecoasttribeslightestinhue，whiletheinlandnativeswereverymuchdarker。HereImaymentionthatafterhavingbeenonmywaysouthforsomemonths，IbegantonoticeatotaldifferencebetweenthenativesImetandmyownpeopleintheCambridgeGulfdistrict。ThetribesIwasnowencounteringdailywereinferiorinphysique，andhadinferiorwarimplements；Idonotrememberthattheyhadanyshields。
TheblacksIhadwhistledandjiggedbeforewere，perhaps，theugliestofalltheaboriginesIhadmet，whichwassayingaverygreatdeal。Themenwereveryshort，averaginglittlemorethanfivefeet，withlowforeheadsandhideouslyrepulsivefeatures。I
noticed，however，thattheanimalstheyhadforfoodseemedverymuchfatterthansimilarcreaturesfarthernorth。OnethingIwasgratefultothesepeopleforwashoney，whichIurgentlyrequiredformedicinalpurposes。Theywereverysorrywhenweleftthem，andasmallbandofwarriorsaccompaniedusonourfirstday”smarch。Wewerethenhandedonfromtribetotribe，smokesignalsbeingsentuptoinformthenext“nation“thatfriendlystrangerswerecoming。
Nevertheless，Igraduallybecameuneasy。Wewereevidentlygettingintoacountrywherethegreatestofourwonderscouldnotsaveusfromthehostilityofthenatives。Wepresentlyencounteredanothertribe，whonotonlyatfirstrefusedtoacceptourfriendlyovertures，buteventhreatenedtoattackusbeforeIhadtimetoconsideranotherplan。Itriedtheeffectofmywhistle，buteventhisfailedinitseffect；andtomyalarm，beforeIcouldgivethemanexhibitionofmyacrobaticpowerstheyhadhurledoneortwowarspears，whichwhizzedbyunpleasantlyclosetomyhead。
Withoutfurtherado，wellknowingthatvacillationmeantdeath，I
senthalf-a-dozenarrowsinsuccessionamongstthem，takingcare，however，toaimverylow，soasnotundulytoinjuremyopponents。
Thehostileblackscametoasuddenhalt，astheyfoundthemysteriousspearsflyingroundthem，andthenwatchingmyopportunity，Idashedforwardrightamongthem，andturnedoverandoverinaseriesofrapidandbreathlesssomersaults。
Ihadconqueredagain。Donotblamethenatives，forwiththemeverystrangerisanenemyuntilhehasprovedhimselfafriend。
Henceitisthatwhenwhitemensuddenlyappearamongthesenativestheyrunimminentriskofbeingpromptlyspeared，unlesstheycanmakeitquiteclearthatnoharmisintended。
Brunoranthesamerisk。Incidentafterincidentofthiskindhappenedalmostdaily，andalthoughtheyinvolvedsomeperil，yettheycameasawelcomebreakwhenlifeonthemarchgrewtoomonotonous。DeliberatetreacherywasveryrareamongthenativesI
cameacross，butitwasbynomeansaltogetherabsent；and，notwithstandingallmyknowledge，mywifeandIweresometimesinseriousdangerofourlives。
Onedaywecameuponatribeasusual，andafterthecustomarypreliminariesweregonethroughtheybecameapparentlyquitefriendly。Iwascarefulneverundulytoexhibitmysteeltomahawk，whichIalwayskeptinakindofsheathorcoveringofopossum-
skin，sothatitmightnotarouseenvy；asecondmotiveforthiswastopreventitschafingmybody。Ineverusedeitherstilettoortomahawkunlessabsolutelynecessary，reservingbothforgreatemergencies。Iknewtheycouldneverbereplaced，soitbehovedmejealouslytoguardsuchpreciouspossessions。Ineverevenusedmystilettoatmeal-times，norevenincuttingupanimalsforfood，lestthebloodshouldrustthebladeandeatitaway。Manytimesalreadyhaditcomeinusefulatclosequarters——notablyinthecaseofthefightwiththealligatorandthekillingofthecannibalchiefwhoownedthewhitegirls。
ThechiefofthetribeIamdiscussingsawmeusingmytomahawkoneday，andeagerlyaskedmetomakeovertheimplementtohimasagift。IcourteouslytoldhimthatIcouldnotdoso。Heseemedsomewhatdisappointedatmyrefusal，butdidnotappeartobearmeanyill-feelinginconsequence。Theblacks，bytheway，seldomcutdowntreesexceptforspears，andthereasonforthisisverycurious。Theyimaginethetreetobeathingoflife，andwhentheyareforcedtocutonedown，quiteareligiousceremonyisheld，andprofuseapologiesmadetothetreefortakingitslife。
Theynevereventakeastripofbarkrightround，knowingthatthiswillkillthetree；theyalwaysleavealittlebitofconnectingbark。
Assomereasonfortherefusalofmytomahawkwasexpected，Itoldthechiefthatitwaspartofmylife——indeed，partofmyverybeing，whichwasperfectlytrue。Ialsoworkedonthechief”ssuperstitions，assuringhimearnestlythatifIpartedwiththeweaponitwouldsoangerthespiritsastobringaboutaterriblecurseinthecountry。ThetomahawkIdeclaredwasadirectgifttomefromtheSunitself，sohowcouldIpartwithit？Ihadthoughtofofferingit，cursesandall，buttheriskofpromptacceptancewastoogreat。
ThatnightYambawarnedmethattroublewasimpending。FormyselfIneverknew，andIsupposeshereadthesignsamongthemenandgotcertaindefiniteinformationfromthewomen。Wethereforesleptsomemilesawayfromtheencampmentinamakeshiftgunyahbuiltofboughs，infrontofwhichtheusualfirewasmade。Afterwehadretiredtorest，Yambawokemeandsaidthatshedetectedstrangenoises。Iimmediatelysprangtomyfeetandlookedallroundourlittleshelter。Itwasmuchtoodarkformetoseeanythingdistinctly，butIfanciedIheardretreatingfootsteps。
Utterlyatalosstoaccountforthisstrangeoccurrence，andfearingthatsomedangerthreatenedus，YambaandIcoveredinthefrontoftheshelter，andthenquietlyretiredintothebush，wherewelayhiddenwithoutafireuntilmorning。Whenwereturnedtoourshelteritwasbroaddaylight，and，aswehalfexpected，wefoundthreeformidablespearsburiedinthesidesofourlittlehut。Threeotherswerestuckinthegroundnearthefire，clearlyprovingthatanattempthadbeenmadeuponourlivesduringthenight。Onexaminingthespearswefoundtheymostcertainlybelongedtothetribewehadleftthepreviousday。Thespear-
headswereofadifferentkindofflintfromanythingIhadpreviouslyseen，beingdarkgreenincolour；andtheywereextremelysharp。Theindividualityofthedifferenttribesisstronglyanddecidedlymarkedinthemakeoftheirspears。Ourtreacheroushostshadevidentlydeterminedtoobtainthecovetedtomahawkbyforce，andwhentheyreachedthespotwheretheysupposedwelay(theycouldnotseeintotheinteriorfromthefront)，theyhurledtheirspearsinthehopeofkillingus，butdidnotinvestigatetheresult，theybeingsucharrantcowardsatnight。Remember，theyhadactuallyventuredatnightintothebushinspiteoftheirinveteratefearof“thespirits。”
Theprecautionadoptedonthisoccasionwasalwaysfollowedbyuswhenwehadanyrealdoubtaboutthenatives；thatistosay，webuilta“dummy“gunyahofboughs，whichweweresupposedtosleepin；andwecoveredinthefrontsoasourpossibleassailantscouldnoteasilydetectourabsence。Wewouldthencreepawayintothebushorhidebehindatree，and，ofcourse，wouldlightnofire。
Manytimeswasthatsametomahawkcoveted。Yousee，thenativeswouldwatchmecuttingboughswithit，orprocuringhoneybycuttingdownbrancheswithaneasethatcausedthemtodespisetheirownrudestoneaxes。
ThecaseoftreacheryIhavejustdescribedwasnotanisolatedone，butIamboundtosaysuchoccurrenceswererareintheinterior——althoughmoreorlessfrequentaboutthewesternshoresoftheGulfofCarpentaria。Atanyrate，thiswasmyexperience。
DuringourjourneyfrommyhometotheshoresoftheGulf，I
remembercomingacrossaflatcountryfromwhichthenativeshadapparentlydisappearedaltogether。Whenwedidcomeuponthem，however，inthehighgroundIwasprobablyguiltyofsomelittlebreachofetiquette，suchasLOOKINGatthewomen——(formanyreasonsIalwaysstudiedthevarioustypesinatribe)——andYambaandIwereofteninperilofourlivesonthisaccount。Asarule，however，safetylayinthefactthatthenativesareterriblyafraidofdarkness，andtheybelievethespiritsofthedeadroamabroadinthemidnighthours。
Monthaftermonthwecontinuedourprogressinasoutherlydirection，although，asIhavesaidbefore，weoftenturnednorth-
eastandevenduewest，followingthevalleyswhenstoppedbytheranges——where，bytheway，weusuallyfoundturkeysingreatnumbers。Wehadwater-bagsmadeoutoftheskinsofkangaroosandwallabies，andwouldcampwhereverpossibleclosetoanativewell，whereweknewfoodwastobefoundinplenty。
AtthisperiodInoticedthatthemoreeasterlyIwent，themorerangesIencountered；whilstthesomewhatdrearyandmostlywaterlesslowlandlaytothewest。Wewouldsometimesfailtoobtainwaterforacoupleofdays；butthisremarkdoesnotapplytothemountainousregions。Oftenthewellswerequitedryandfoodpainfullyscarce；thiswouldbeinaregionofsandandspinifex。
WhenIbeheldanoasisofpalmsandti-treesIwouldmakeforit，knowingthatifnowaterexistedthere，itcouldeasilybegotbydigging。Thephysicalconditionsofthecountrywouldchangesuddenly，andmyindefatigablewifewasfrequentlyatfaultinherroot-huntingexpeditions。Fortunately，animallifewasveryseldomscarce。Onthewhole，wewereextremelyfortunateinthematterofwater，——althoughthenativesoftentoldmethatthelowwastesofsandandspinifexwerefrequentlysodry，thatitwasimpossibleevenforthemtocross。Whatastonishedmegreatlywasthatthelineofdemarcationbetweenanutterdesertand，say，afineforestwasalmostassharplymarkedasifithadbeendrawnwitharule。
Astretchofdelightfullywoodedcountrywouldfollowthedrearywastes，andthisinturnwouldgiveplacetofairlyhighmountainranges。
Once，duringatemporarystayamongoneofthetribes，thechiefshowedmesomeveryinterestingcavesamongthelowlimestonerangesthatwerecloseby。Itwasaltogetheraveryruggedcountry。Alwaysonthelook-outforsomethingtointerestandamuseme，andalwaysfilledwithastrange，vaguefeelingthatsomethingMIGHTturnupunexpectedlywhichwouldenablemetoreturntocivilisation，Iatoncedeterminedtoexplorethesecaves；andhereIhadaverystrangeandthrillingadventure。
WhilstroamingamongthecavesIcameacrossapitmeasuringperhapstwentyfeetindiameterandeightfeetorninefeetindepth。Ithadasandybottom；andasIsawacurious-lookingdepressioninonecorner，Ijumpeddowntoinvestigateit，leavingBrunobarkingattheedgeofthepit，becauseIknewIshouldhavesometroubleinhoistinghimupagainifIallowedhimtoaccompanyme。Icarriedalongstick，muchlongerthanawaddy；perhapsitwasayam-stick——Icannotremember。Atanyrate，justasIwasabouttoprobeamysterious-lookinghole，Ibeheldwithalarmandamazementtheuglyheadofalargeblacksnakesuddenlythrustoutatmefromadarkmass，whichIpresentlyfoundwasthedecayedstumpofatree。Ifellbackasfaraspossible，andthensawthatthereptilehadquiteuncoileditselffromthestem，andwascomingstraightatme。Ipromptlydealtitaviolentblowonthebody，justbelowthatpointwhereitraiseditsheadfromtheground。NosoonerhadIdonethisthananotherdarkandhissingheadcamecharginginmydirection。AgainIstruckatthereptile”sbodyandoverpoweredit。Nextcameathird，andafourth，andfifth，andthenIrealisedthatthewholeofthedeadstumpwassimplyonelivingmassofcoiledsnakes，whichwereprobablyhibernating。Oneafteranothertheycameatme；ofcourse，hadtheyallcomeatonce，nopoweronearthcouldhavesavedme。Iwonderedhowlongthisweirdcontestwouldbekeptup；andagainandagainbetweentheattacksItriedtoescape，buthadscarcelytakenanupwardstepwhenanotherhugereptilewasuponme。
IwasawarethatBrunowasrunningbackwardsandforwardsattheedgeofthepitallthistime，barkingfranticallyinamostexcitedstate。Heknewperfectlywellwhatsnakeswere，havingfrequentlybeenbitten。Iowemylifeonthisoccasionsolelytothefactthatthesnakeswereinatorpidstate，andcameatmeoneatatimeinsteadofaltogether。Itwasthecoldseason，aboutthemonthofJuneorJuly。Itisimpossibleatsuchmomentstotakeanyaccountoftime，soIcannotsayhowlongthebattlelasted。
Atlength，however，Iwasabletocounttheslain。IdidthispartlyoutofcuriosityandpartlybecauseIwantedtoimpressthenatives——toboast，ifyoupreferthatphrase。Modesty，wheremodestyisunknown，wouldhavebeenabsurd，ifnotfataltomyprestige。Well，inalltherewereSIXTY-EIGHTBLACKSNAKES，AVERAGINGABOUTFOURFEETSIXINCHESINLENGTH。
IdonotrememberthatIwasfatigued；Ithinkmyexcitementwastoogreatforanysuchfeelingtohavemadeitselffelt。WhenatlengthIwasabletogetaway，IandBrunorushedofftothenativecampafewmilesaway，andbroughtbacktheblackstoseewhatI
haddone。Thespectaclethrewthemintoastateofgreatamazement，andfromthattimeonIwaslookeduponwiththegreatestadmiration。ThestoryofhowIhadkilledthesnakessoonspreadabroadamongthevarioustribesformilesround，andwaschantedbymanytribes，themeansofinter-communicationbeingtheuniversalsmoke-signals。OneimportantconsequenceofthisadventurewasthatIwaseverywherereceivedwiththeverygreatestrespect。
Itmaybementionedherethatnomatterhowunfriendlytribesmaybe，theyalwaysexchangenewsbymeansofsmoke-signals。Imayalsosaythatatcorroboreesandsuch-likefestivitiesavastamountofpoeticboastingandexaggerationisindulgedin，each“hero“beingrequiredtogivepracticaldemonstrationsofthethingshehasseen，thedoughtydeedshehasdone，&c。Hewarmsupashegoesalong，andmagnifiesitsimportanceinaridiculousway。
ItamusesmetothisdaytorecallmyownpreposteroussongsabouthowIkilledthetwowhalesWITHMYSTILETTO，andotherdrollpretensions。But，ah！Iwasseriousenoughthen！
InthemountainousregionwhereIencounteredthesnakes，IalsometanativewhoactuallyspokeEnglish。HecalledhimselfeitherPeterorJackyJacky——Icannotrememberwhich；butinanycaseitwasanamegivenhimbypearlers。Hehadoncelivedwithsomepearlersnearthenorth-westcoastofWesternAustralia——probablyontheDeGreyRiver。Hisstorywasquiteunprecedentedamongtheblacks，andhegavememanyterribleinstancesoftheperfidyshownbywhiteadventurerstowardstheunfortunatenatives。ThepreciselocalitywhereImetthismanwasprobablynearMountFarewell，closetotheborder-lineofSouthAustraliaandWesternAustralia。
Well，then，JackyJacky——togivehimthenamewhichlingersmosttenaciouslyinmymind——waspersuadedtojoininapearlingexpedition，togetherwithanumberofhiscompanions。Theyallacceptedengagementsfromthewhites，onthedistinctunderstandingthattheyweretobeawayaboutthreemoons。Instead，theywerepracticallykidnappedbyforce，andtreated——orratherill-treated——
asslavesforseveralyears。
Firstofall，thepoorcreaturesweretakentoanislandinthevicinityofNorth-WestCape，offwhichthepearlingfleetlay。
Duringthevoyagetothepearlinggroundsthewatersupplyonboardranshort，andsogreatwasthesufferingamongtheblacks——theywerekeptontheshortestofshortcommons，asyoumaysuppose——
thattheyplottedtostealacaskofthepreciousfluidfortheirownuse。Thevesselwasquiteasmallone，andthewaterwaskeptinthehold。Butthetwoorthreewhiteswhoformedthecrewforciblypreventedtheblack-fellowsfromcarryingouttheirplan。
Thisgaverisetomuchdiscontent，andeventuallytheblacks，indesperation，openlyroseandmutinied。Armingthemselveswithheavypiecesoffirewoodtheyproceededtoattacktheirmasters，andsomeofthemsucceededingettingatthewater，inspiteofthewhites，bysimplyknockingthebungsoutofthecasks。Thecaptainthereuponwentdowntoparleywiththem，butwasmetbyashowerofblowsfromtheheavysticksIhavejustmentioned。Half-stunned，hedashedoutofthehold，gothismusket，andfireddownamongthemutineers，hittingoneblack-fellowinthethroat，andkillinghiminstantly。Farfrominfuriatingtherest，aswouldmostcertainlyhavebeenthecasewithanyotherrace，thiscourseofactionterrifiedtheblacks，andtheybarricadedthemselvesdownbelow。
Eventuallythewhitesagainsoughtthemandmadepeace，theblackspromisingtoconductthemselvesmoreobedientlyinthefuture。ItmayherebesaidthattheshiphadcalledspeciallyatJackyJacky”shomeonthecoasttokidnapthenatives。
Onarrivingatthepearlingsettlement，theblacksfoundthemselvesamonganumberofotherunfortunatecreatureslikethemselves，andallwerecompelledtogooutinpearlingvesselsjustastheexigenciesoftheindustryrequired。JackyJackyhimselfwaskeptatthisworkforupwardsofthreeyears；andhetoldmemanyterriblestoriesofthewhiteman”sindescribablecrueltyandvillainy。Heandhiscompanionswereinvariablychainedupduringthenightanddrivenaboutlikecattleinthedaytime。Manyofhismatesatthepearlingsettlementhadbeenkidnappedfromtheirhomesinacruelandcontemptiblemanner，andherdedofflikesheepbymenonhorsebackarmedwithformidableweapons。
Theirsufferingswereverygreatbecause，ofcourse，theyweretotallyunusedtoworkofanykind。TheenforcedexilefromhomeandthedrearycompulsorylabourmadethelifefarworsethandeathfortheseprimitivechildrenofNature。Then，again，theywereexiledfromtheirwives，whowould，ofcourse，beappropriatedintheirabsence——anothertormentingthought。Theywerefrequentlybeatenwithsticks，andwhentheyattemptedtorunawaytheywerespearedasenemiesbyothertribes；whilst，intheeventoftheirescapingaltogether，theywouldnothavebeenrecognisedevenwhentheyreturnedtotheirownhomes。OnedayJackyJacky”sshipcameintoalittlebayonthemainlandforwater，andthenmyenterprisingfriend，watchinghisopportunity，struckinlandforhomeandliberty，accompaniedbyseveralothercompanionsinmisery。Theselatterthecoastnativespromptlyspeared，butJackyJackyescaped，thanksprobablytohisknowledgeofthewhiteman”swiles。Hesoonreachedthemorefriendlymountaintribesintheinterior，wherehewasreceivedasamanandabrother。Yousee，hehadstolenarevolverfromhislatemasters，andthismysteriousweaponcreatedgreatterroramonghisnewfriends。Altogetherheposedasquiteagreatman，particularlywhenhisstorybecameknown。Heworkedhiswayfromtribetotribe，untilatlengthhegottotherangeswhereImethim——quiteavastdistancefromthecoast。
ManypartsoftheextensivecountryItraversedonmysouthwardjourney，afterthedeathofthegirls，wereexceedinglyrichinminerals，andparticularlyingold，bothalluvialandinquartz。
AsIwasmakingmywayonedaythroughagranitecountryalongthebanksofacreek，Ibeheldsomereddishstones，whichIatoncepounceduponandfoundtobebeautifulrubies。Havingnomeansofcarryingthem，however，andastheywereofnovaluewhatevertome，Isimplythrewthemawayagain，andnowmerelyrecordthefact。
Ialsocameacrosslargequantitiesofalluvialtin，butthis，again，wasnotoftheslightestuse，anymorethanithadbeenwhenIfounditinverylargequantitiesintheKingLeopoldRanges。
ThetestIappliedtoseewhetheritreallyWAStinwastoscratchitwithmyknife。Evenwhenlargequantitiesofnativegoldlayatmyfeet，Ihardlystoopedtopickitup，saveasamatterofcuriosity。WhyshouldI？Whatusewasittome？AsIhavestatedoverandoveragaininpublic，Iwouldhavegivenallthegoldforafewouncesofsalt，whichIneededsosorely。Afterwards，however，Imadeuseofthepreciousmetalinaverypracticalmanner，butofthismorehereafter。Atoneplace——probablyneartheWarburtonRangesinWesternAustralia——Ipickedupanimmensepieceofquartz，whichwassorichthatitappearedtobeonemassofvirgingold；andwhenonshowingittoYambaItoldherthatinmycountrymenwerepreparedtogotoanypartoftheworld，andundergomanyterriblehardshipstoobtainit，shethoughtatfirstIwasjoking。Indeed，thethingamusedhereverafter，asitdidtherestofmypeople。Imightalsomentionthatupinthethenlittle-knownKimberleydistrict，manyofthenativesweightedtheirspearswithpuregold。Imustnotomittomentionthatnativesneverpoisontheirspear-heads。Ionlyfoundthenuggets，bigandlittle，nearthecreeksduringandafterheavyrains；andImightmentionthathavingwithsomedifficultyinterestedYambainthesubject，shewasalwaysonthelook-outforthetell-talespecksandgleams。Insomeoftheranges，too，Ifoundtheopalinlargeandsmallquantities，butsoondiscoveredthatthematerialwastoolightandbrittleforspear-heads，towhichcurioususeIessayedtoputthisbeautifulstone。Talkingaboutspear-heads，intherangeswhereImetJackyJackytherewasaquarryofthatkindofstonewhichwasusedforthemakingofwarandotherimplements。
Itwasverymuchworked，andasyoumaysupposewasavaluablepossessiontothetribeinwhoseterritoryitwassituated。Thestonewasakindofflint，extremelyhardandcapableofbeingmadeverysharp，andretainingitsedge。Nativesfromfarandnearcametobarterforthestonewithshells，andornamentswhichtheseinlandtribesdidnotpossess。Themethodofgettingoutthestonewasbybuildingfiresoverit，andthenwhenithadbecomered-hotthrowinglargeandsmallquantitiesofwateruponitinanamazinglydexterousway。Thestonewouldimmediatelybesplitandrivenexactlyinthemannerrequired。
Myveryfirstdiscoveryofgoldwasmadeinsomecrevicesnearabigcreek，whichhadcutitswaythroughdeeplayersofconglomeratehundredsoffeetthick。Thiscountrywasanelevatedplateau，intersectedbydeeplycutcreeks，whichhadleftthevariousstrataquitebare，withcuriousconcaverecessesinwhichthenativestookshelterduringthewetseason。OneofthenuggetsIpickedupinthecreekIhavejustmentionedweighedseveralpounds，andwasthreeorfourincheslong；itwasrathermorethananinchinthickness。ThisnuggetIplacedonablockofwoodandbeatoutwithastone，untilIcouldtwistiteasilywithmyfingers，whenIfashioneditintoafilletasanornamentforYamba”shair。Thisshecontinuedtowearformanyyearsafterwards，buttherudegoldenbraceletsandankletsIalsomadeforhershegaveawaytothefirstchildrenwemet。
Inmanyoftherockydistrictsthereefswereevidentlyextremelyrich；butImustconfessIrarelytroubledtoexplorethem。Inotherregionsthegold-bearingquartzwasactuallyacurse，ourpathbeingcoveredwithsharppebblesofquartzandslate，whichmadeeverstepforwardapositiveagony。Wildrangesadjoinedthatconglomeratecountry，which，asyouhaveprobablygathered，isextremelydifficulttotraverse。Certainlyitwouldbeimpossibleforcamels。
CHAPTERXIV
Aneventfulmeeting——Civilisationatlast——Rageanddespair——A
whiteman”stracks——Yamba”sfind——GoodSamaritans——Bitterdisappointment——Brunoasguardian——Aheavyburden——Astrangeinvitation——Themysteriousmonster”Come，andbeourchief“——I
discoverahalf-castegirl——ThefateofLeichhardt”Inthevalleyoftheshadow“——Asanewhiteman——Gibsonisdying——Vainefforts——
Unearthlyvoices。
Whenwehadbeenonthemarchsouthwardsaboutninemonthstherecameoneofthemostimportantincidentsinmylife，andonewhichcompletelychangedmyplans。Onedaywecameacrossapartyofabouteightnatives——allyoungfellows——whowereonapunitiveexpedition；andastheyweregoinginourdirection(theyovertookusgoingsouth)，wewalkedalongwiththemforthesakeoftheircompany。Thecountrythroughwhichwewerepassingatthattimeisadreary，undulatingexpanseofspinifexdesert，withafewscatteredandweird-lookingpalms，alittlescrub，andscarcelyanysignsofanimallife。Thefurthereastwewent，thebettergrewthecountry；but，ontheotherhand，whenwewentwestwardwegotfartherandfartherintothedrearywastes。AtthespotIhaveinmymindrangesloomedtothesouth——asightwhichcheeredmeconsiderably，forsomehowIthoughtIshouldsoonstrikecivilisation。
Hadnottheblackswewerewithtakenustosomewellswewouldhavefaredverybadlyindeedinthisregion，asnowatercouldbefoundexceptbydigging。Inoticedthattheblackslookedforahollowdepressionmarkedbyacertainkindofpalm，andthendugaholeinthegravelandsandysoilwiththeirhandsandyam-sticks。
Theyusuallycameuponwaterafewfeetdown，butthedistanceoftenvariedveryconsiderably。
Wewerecrossingthesummitofalittlehill，wherewehadrestedforabreathingspace，when，withouttheleastwarningIsuddenlybeheld，afewhundredyardsaway，inthevalleybeneath，FOURWHILE
MENONHORSEBACK！Ithinktheyhadafewsparehorseswiththem，but，ofcourse，allthatIsawwerethefourwhitemen。I
afterwardslearnedthat，accordingtoourrespectiveroutes，wewouldhavecrossedtheirtrack，buttheywouldnothavecrossedours。Theyweregoingwest。TheyworetheregulationdressoftheAustralian——broadsombrerohats，flannelshirts，andratherdirtywhitetrousers，withlongriding-boots。Iremembertheyweremovingalongatawretchedpace，whichshowedthattheirhorseswerenearlyspent。Onceagain，notwithstandingallpreviousbitterlessons，myuncontrollableexcitementwasmyundoing。
“Civilisationatlast！“Iscreamedtomyself，andthen，throwingdiscretiontothewinds，Igavethewar-whoopoftheblacksandrushedmadlyforward，yellingmyselfhoarse，andsupremelyobliviousofthefantasticandsavageappearanceImusthavepresented——withmylonghairflowingwildlyoutbehind，andmyskinpracticallyindistinguishablefromthatofanordinaryblack-
fellow。Mycompanions，Iafterwardsdiscovered，sweptaftermeasinafuriouscharge，FORTHEYTHOUGHTIWANTEDTOANNIHILATETHE
WHITEMENATSIGHT。Naturally，thespectacleunnervedthepioneers，andtheyproceededtorepelthesupposedattackbyfiringavolleyintothemidstofus。Theirhorseswereterrified，andrearedandplungedinadangerousmanner，therebygreatlyaddingtotheexcitementofthatterriblemoment。Theroarofthevolleyandthewhizzoftheshotsbroughtmetomysenses，however，andalthoughIwasnothit，Ipromptlydroppedtothegroundamidstthelonggrass，asalsodidYambaandtheotherblacks。Likeaflashmyidioticblundercamehometome，andthenIwasreadytodashoutagainalonetoexplain；butYambaforciblypreventedmefromexposingmyselftowhatsheconsideredcertaindeath。
Themomentthehorsemensawusalldisappearinthelonggrasstheywheeledround，changingtheircoursealittlemoretothesouth——
theyhadbeengoingwest，sofarasIcanremember——andtheircaravancrawledoffinamannerthatsuggestedthatthehorseswereprettywelldonefor。Onourpart，weatoncemadefortherangesthatlayalittletothesouth。Herewepartedwithourfriendstheblacks，whomadeoffinaneast-south-easterlydirection。
ThedominantfeelingwithinmeasIsawthewhitemenrideoffwasoneofuncontrollablerageandmaddespair。Iwasapparentlyapariah，withthehandofeverywhiteman——whenImetone——againstme。“Well，“Ithought，“ifcivilisationisnotpreparedtoreceiveme，Iwillwaituntilitis。”Disappointmentafterdisappointment，coupledwiththeincessantpersuasionsofYambaandmypeoplegenerally，weregraduallyreconcilingmetosavagelife；andslowlybutrelentlesslythethoughtcreptintomymindthatIWASDOOMED
NEVERTOREACHCIVILISATIONAGAIN，andsoperhapsitwouldbebetterformetoresignmyselftotheinevitable，andstaywhereI
was。Iwouldturnback，Ithought，withintensebitternessandheart-break，andmakeahomeamongthetribesinthehills，wherewewouldbesafefromthewhitemanandhismurderousweapons。AndIactuallyDIDturnback，accompanied，ofcourse，byYamba。Wedidnotstrikeduenorthagain，asitwasourintentiontofindapermanenthomesomewhereamongtheranges，atanyratefortheensuingwinter。Itwasoutofthequestiontocampwherewewere，becauseitwasmuchtoocold；andbesidesYambahadmuchdifficultyinfindingroots。
Severaldayslater，aswewereploddingsteadilyalong，awayfromtherangesthatIhavespokenofaslyingtothesouth，Yamba，whoseeyeswereusuallyeverywhere，suddenlygaveacryandstoodstill，pointingtosomepeculiarandunmistakablefootprintsinthesandyground。These，sheconfidentlyassuredme，werethoseofawhitemanWHOHADLOSTHISREASON，andwaswanderingaimlesslyaboutthatfearfulcountry。Itwas，ofcourse，easyforhertoknowthewhiteman”strackswhenshesawthem，butIwascurioushowshecouldbecertainthatthewandererhadlosthisreason。
Shepointedouttomethat，inthefirstplace，thetrackshadbeenmadebysomeonewearingboots，andasthefootprintsstraggledaboutinamosterraticmanner，itwasclearlyevidentthatthewearercouldnotbesane。
Evenatthistime，beitremembered，Iwasburningwithrageagainstthewhites，andsoIdecidedtofollowthetracksandfindtheindividualwhowasresponsibleforthem。Butdonotbeunderanymisapprehension。Myintentionswerenotphilanthropic，butrevengeful。Ihadbecomeablack-fellowmyselfnow，andwasconsumedwithablack-fellow”smurderouspassion。AtonetimeI
thoughtIwouldfollowthewholeparty，andkilltheminthedarknesswithmystilettowhenopportunityoffered。
Thenewtrackswehadcomeupontoldmeplainlythatthepartyhadseparated，andwerethereforenowinmypower。IsaythesethingsbecauseIdonotwantanyonetosupposeIfollowedupthetracksofthelostmanwiththeintentionofrenderinghimanyassistance。
FornearlytwodaysYambaandIfollowedthetracks，whichwentincuriouscirclesalwaystrendingtotheleft。Atlengthwebegantocomeuponvariousarticlesthathadapparentlybeenthrownawaybythestraggler。Firstofall，wefoundpartofaletterthatwasaddressedtosomeone(Ithink)inAdelaide；butofthisIwouldnotbeabsolutelycertain。WhatIdorememberwasthattheenvelopeborethepostmarkofTiTreeGully，S。A。
Thewriterofthatletterwasevidentlyawoman，who，sofarasI
canremember，wrotecongratulatinghercorrespondentuponthefactthathewasjoininganexpeditionwhichwasabouttotraversetheentirecontinent。Ifancyshesaidshewasgladofthisforhisownsake，foritwouldnodoubtmeanmuchtohim。Shewishedhimallkindsofgloryandprosperity，andwoundupbyassuringhimthatnonewouldbebetterpleasedonhisreturnthanshe。
Thecountrythroughwhichthesetracksleduswasforthemostpartameredry，sandywaste，coveredwiththeformidablespinifexorporcupinegrass。Yambawalkedinfrontpeeringatthetracks。
Presentlyshegavealittlecry，andwhensheturnedtomeIsawthatshehadinherhandthesombrerohatofanAustralianpioneer。
Alittlefartheronwefoundashirt，andthenapairoftrousers。
Wenextcameuponabeltandapairofdilapidatedboots。
Atlength，onreachingthecrestofasandyhillock，wesuddenlybeheldtheformofanakedwhitemanlyingfacedownwardsinthesandbelowus。Asyoumaysuppose，wesimplyswoopeddownuponhim；butonreachinghimmyfirstimpressionwasthatHEWASDEAD！
Hisfacewasslightlyturnedtotheright，hisarmsoutstretched，andhisfingersdugconvulsivelyinthesand。IamamusednowwhenIrememberhowgreatwasouremotiononapproachingthisunfortunate。Myfirstthoughtinturningthemanoverontohisback，andascertainingthatatlasthebreathed，wasoneofgreatjoyandthankfulness。
“ThankGod，“Isaidtomyself，“Ihaveatlastfoundawhitecompanion——onewhowillputmeintouchoncemorewiththegreatworldoutside。”Theburningragethatconsumedme(youknowmyobjectinfollowingthetracks)diedawayinpityasIthoughtoftheterribleprivationsandsufferingsthispoorfellowmusthaveundergonebeforebeingreducedtothisstate。Mydesireforrevengewasforgotten，andmyonlythoughtnowwastonursebacktohealththeunconsciousman。
FirstofallImoistenedhismouthwiththewaterwhichYambaalwayscarriedwithherinaskinbag，andthenIrubbedhimvigorously，hopingtorestoreanimation。Isoonexhaustedthecontentsofthebag，however，andimmediatelyYambavolunteeredtogooffandreplenishit。Shewasabsentanhourormore，Ithink，duringwhichtimeIpersistedinmymassagetreatment——althoughsofarIsawnosignsofreturningconsciousnessonthepartofmypatient。
WhenYambareturnedwiththewater，Itriedtomaketheprostratemanswallowsomeofit，andIevensmearedhimwiththebloodofanopossumwhichmythoughtfulhelpmatehadbroughtbackwithher。
Butforalongtimeallmyeffortswereinvain，andthen，dragginghimtothefootofagrass-tree，Iproppedhimupslightlyagainstit，wettedhisshirtwithwaterandwounditroundhisthroat。
MeanwhileYambathrewwateronhimandrubbedhimvigorously。
Atlastheutteredasound——halfgroan，halfsigh(itthrilledmethroughandthrough)；andInoticedthathewasabletoswallowafewdropsofwater。Thegloomofnightwasnowdescendingonthatstrangewildernessofsandandspinifex，sowepreparedtostaytherewithourhelplesschargeuntilmorning。YambaandItookitinturnstowatchoverhimandkeephismouthmoistened。Bymorninghehadsofarrevivedthatheopenedhiseyesandlookedatme。HoweagerlyhadIanticipatedthatlook，andhowbitterwasmydisappointmentwhenIfoundthatitwasamerevacantstareinwhichwasnokindofrecognition！Everhopeful，however，I
attributedthevacantlooktotheterriblenatureofhissufferings。Iwasburningtoplyhimwithallmannerofquestionsastowhohewas，wherehehadcomefrom，andwhatnewshehadoftheoutsideworld；butIrestrainedmyselfbyagreateffort，andmerelyperseveredinmyendeavourstorestorehimtocompleteanimation。Whenthemorningwasprettywelladvancedthemanwasabletositup；andinthecourseofafewdayshewasevenabletoaccompanyustoawater-hole，whereweencamped，andstayeduntilhehadpracticallyrecovered——or，atanyrate，wasabletogetabout。
But，youmaybeasking，allthistime，didthemanhimselfsaynothing？Indeed，hesaidmuch，andIhunguponeverysyllablethatfellfromhislips，but，tomyindescribablechagrin，itwasamerevolublejargonofstatements，whichsimplybaffledandpuzzledmeandcausedmepain。Ourchargewouldstareatusstolidly，andthenremark，inavulgarCockneyvoice，thathewasquiteSUREweweregoingthewrongway。Bythistime，Ishouldmention，wehadre-clothedhiminhistrousersandshirt，forhehadobviouslysufferedterriblyfromtheburningsun。
ManydayspassedawaybeforeIwouldadmittomyselfthatthisunhappycreaturewasahopelessimbecile。Iwasneverabsentfromhissidedayornight，hopingandwaitingforthefirstsaneremark。Soon，however，thebittertruthwasborneinuponusthat，insteadofhavingfoundsalvationandcomfortinthesocietyofawhiteman，weweremerelysaddledwithaghastlyencumbrance，andwerefarworseoffthanbefore。
Wenowsetoffinthedirectionofouroldtracks，butwerenotabletotravelveryfastonaccountofthestillfeebleconditionofthewhitestranger。Poorcreature！Ipitiedhimfromthebottomofmyheart。Itseemedsoterribleforamantolapseintoastateofimbecilityafterhavingsurvivedthedreadfulhardshipsandadventuresthathadbefallenhim。Itriedoverandoveragaintoelicitsensiblerepliestomyquestionsastowherehecamefrom；buthesimplygibberedandbabbledlikeahappybaby。I
coaxed；Ithreatened；Ipersuaded；butitwasallinvain。Isoonfoundhewasaregularmillstoneroundmyneck——particularlywhenwewereonthe“walk-about。”Hewouldsuddenlytakeitintohisheadtositdownforhoursatastretch，andnothingwouldinducehimtomoveuntilhedidsoofhisownaccord。
Curiouslyenough，Brunobecameverygreatlyattachedtohim，andwashisconstantcompanion。OfthisIwasextremelyglad，becauseitrelievedmeofmuchanxiety。YouwillunderstandwhatImeanwhenItellyouthat，inspiteofallourendeavours，ourmysteriouscompanionwouldgooffbyhimselfawayfromourtrack；
andatsuchtimeswereitnotforBruno——whomhewouldfollowanywhere——wewouldoftenhavehadmuchtroubleinbringinghimbackagain。Orhemighthavebeenspearedbeforeastrangetribecouldhavediscoveredhis“sacred“(idiotic)condition。
Atlengthwereachedalargelagoon，ontheshoresofwhichwestayedforabouttwoyears。Thislagoonformedpartofabigriveratflood-time，buttheconnectingstretchesofwaterhadlongsincedriedupformanymilesbothaboveandbelowit。Thequestionmaybeasked，WhydidIsettledownhere？Theansweris，thatourwhitecompanionhadbecomesimplyanintolerableburden。Hesufferedfromthemostexhaustingattacksofdysentery，andwasquitehelpless。Itwas，ofcourse，myintentiontohavecontinuedmymarchnorthwardtomyoldhomeintheCambridgeGulfdistrict，becausebythistimeIhadquitemadeupmymindthat，bylivingtherequietly，IstoodabetterchanceofescapetocivilisationbymeansofsomevesselthanIdidbyattemptingtotraversetheentirecontinent。Thislatterideawasnowrenderedimpossible，onaccountofthepoor，helplesscreatureIhadwithme。Indeed，sogreatananxietywashetomeandYamba，thatwedecidedwecouldgonowhere，eithernorthorsouth，untilhehadbecomemorerobustinhealth。Needlesstosay，Ineverintrustedhimwithaweapon。
Ihadfoundasheath-knifebelongingtohim，butIafterwardsgaveitawaytoafriendlychief，whowasimmenselyproudofit。
Inmakingfortheshoresofthebiglagoonwehadtotraversesomeextremelydifficultcountry。Inthefirstplace，weencounteredaseriesofverybrokenridges，whichinpartsprovedsohardtotraveloverthatIalmostgaveupindespair。Attimestherewasnothingforitbuttocarryonmybackthepoor，feeblecreaturewho，Ifelt，wasnowintrustedtomychargeandkeeping。I
rememberthatnativechiefsfrequentlysuggestedthatIshouldleavehim，butIneverlistenedtothisadviceforamoment。
PerhapsIwasnotaltogetherdisinterested，becausealreadymydementedcompanionwaslookeduponasakindofminordeitybythenatives。ImayhereremarkthatIonlyknewtwoidiotsduringthewholeofmysojourn。Oneofthesehadfallenfromatreethroughabranchbreaking，andhewasactuallymaintainedattheexpenseofthetribe，reveredbyall，ifnotactuallyworshipped。
ButthejourneyIwasjustdescribingwasafearfultrial。
Sometimeswehadtotraverseawildernessofrockswhichstoodstraightupandprojectedatsharpangles，presentingatadistancetheappearanceofaseriesofstonyterraceswhichwereallbutimpassable。Foralongtimeourchargeworebothshirtandtrousers，buteventuallywehadtodiscardthelatter——orperhapsitwouldbemorecorrecttosay，thatthegarmentwasliterallytorntoshredsbythespinifex。AtonetimeIhaditinmymindtomakehimgonakedlikemyself，butonconsiderationIthoughtitadvisabletoallowhimtoretainhisshirt，atanyrateforatime，ashisskinwasnotsoinuredtotheburningsunasmyown。
Wehadtoprovidehimwithfood，whichheaccepted，ofcourse，withoutgratitude。ThenYambahadalwaystobuildhimashelterwhereverwecamped，sothatfarfrombeinganinvaluableassistanceandacompanionhewasaburden——sogreatthat，inmomentsofdepression，Iregrettednothavinglefthimtodie。Asitwas，hewouldoftenhavegonetohisdeathinthegreatdesertswereitnotfortheever-vigilantBruno。Still，IalwaysthoughtthatsomedayIwouldbeabletotakethemanbacktocivilisation，andtherefindoutwhohewasandwhencehehadcome。AndIhopedthatpeoplewouldthinkIhadbeenkindtohim。AtfirstIthoughttheunfortunatemanwassufferingfromsunstroke，andthatincourseoftimehewouldregainhisreason。IknewIcoulddoverylittletowardshisrecoveryexceptbyfeedinghimwell。FortunatelythenativesnevercalleduponhimtodemonstratebeforethemtheextraordinarypowerswhichIattributedtohim。Indeedhisstrangegestures，antics，andbabblingsweresufficientinthemselvestoconvincetheblacksthathewasacreaturetobereverenced。Theremarkablethingabouthimwasthatheneverseemedtotakenoticeofanyone，whetheritweremyself，Yamba，oranativechief。Asarule，hisglancewould“gopastme，“sotospeak，andhewasforeverwanderingaimlesslyabout，chatteringandgesticulating。
Weplacednorestrictionsuponhim，andsuppliedallhiswants，givinghimBrunoasaguideandprotector。ImustsaythatYambadidnotlikethestranger，butformysakeshewaswonderfullypatientwithhim。
ItwaswhilstlivingontheshoresofthislagoonthatIreceivedaveryextraordinarycommissionfromaneighbouringtribe。NotlongaftermyarrivalIheardacuriouslegend，totheeffectthatawayontheothersideofthelagoontherewasan“evilspirit“
infestingthewaters，whichterrifiedthewomenwhentheywentdowntofilltheirskins。Well，naturallyenough，thefameofthewhitemanandhisdoingssoongotabroadinthatcountry，andIwasonedayinvitedbythetribeinquestiontogoandridthemoftheevilspirit。Accordingly，accompaniedbyYamba，andleavingBrunotolookafterourhelplesscompanion，wesetoffinresponsetotheinvitation，andinafewdaysreachedthecampoftheblackswhohadsentforme。Thelagoonwasheresurroundedbyafinely-woodedcountry，slightlymountainous。PerhapsIoughttohavestatedthatIhadalreadygleanedfromthemail-men，orrunners，whohadbeensentwiththemessage，thatthewatersofthelagooninthevicinityofthecamphadlongbeendisturbedbysomehugefishormonster，whosevagarieswereaconstantsourceofterror。Thedreadedcreaturewouldcomequitecloseinshore，andthenendeavourto“spear“thewomenwithwhatwasdescribedasalongweaponcarriedinitsmouth。This，then，wastheevilspiritofthelagoon，andIconfessitpuzzledmegreatly。Ithoughtitprobablethatitwasmerelyalargefishwhichhaddescendedinarain-cloudamongcountlessmillionsofothersofsmallerspecies。Ilookeduponthecommission，however，asagoodopportunityfordisplayingmypowersandimpressingthenativesinthatcountry——Ialwayshadtheutmostconfidenceinmyself。BeforesettingoutIhadspentsomelittletimeincompletingmypreparationsforthecaptureofthestrangemonster。
TheveryafternoonIarrivedIwentdowntotheshoresofthelagoonwithallthenatives，andhadnotlongtowaitbeforeI
beheldwhatwasapparentlyahugefishcareeringwildlyanderraticallyhitherandthitherinthewater。Onseeingitthenativesappearedtremendouslyexcited，andtheydancedandyelled，hopingtherebytodrivethecreatureaway。Myfirstmovewasinthenatureofanexperiment——merelywiththeobjectofgettingabetterviewofthemonster。Iendeavouredtoangleforitwithahookmadeoutofalargepieceofsharpenedbone。Ithenproducedlargenetsmadeoutofstripsofgreenhideandstringy-barkrope。
Placingtheseontheshoresofthelagoon，IdirectedYambatobuildalittlebarkcanoejustbigenoughtoholdherandme。
Atlengthweembarkedandpaddledoutafewhundredyards，whenwethrewthenetoverboard。Ithadpreviouslybeenweighted，andnowfloatedsothatitpromptlyexpandedtoitsutmostcapacity。Nosoonerhadwedonethisthantheinvisiblemonsterchargeddownuponus，makingatremendouscommotioninthewater。NeitherYambanorIwaitedforthecomingimpact，butthrewourselvesoverboardjustasthecreature”swhitesawlikeweaponshoweditselfclosetothesurfaceonlyafewyardsaway。Weheardacrash，andthen，lookingbackwardasweswam，sawthatthelongsnoutofthefishhadactuallypiercedbothsidesofthecanoe，whilsthisbodywasevidentlyentangledinthemeshesofthenet。Sodesperatehadbeenthechargethatourlittlecraftwasnowactuallyaseriousencumbrancetothemonster。Itstruggledmadlytofreeitself，leapingalmostclearofthewaterandlashingtheplacidlagoonintoaperfectmaelstrom。
Severaltimesthecanoewasliftedhighoutofthewater；andthenthefishwouldtrytodragitunderneath，butwaspreventedbyitsgreatbuoyancy。InthemeantimeYambaandIswamsafelyashore，andwatchedthestrugglesofthe“evilspirit“fromtheshore，amongacrowdoffranticnatives。
Wewaiteduntiltheeffortsofthefishgrewfeebler，andthenputoffinanotherbarkcanoe(theceleritywithwhichYambamadeonewassomethingamazing)，whenIeasilydespatchedthenowweakenedcreaturewithmytomahawk。Imightherementionthatthiswasactuallythefirsttimethattheseinlandsavageshadseenacanoeorboatofanydescription，sothatnaturallythetwoIlaunchedoccasionedendlessamazement。
Afterwards，bytheway，Itriedtodescribetothemwhattheseawaslike，buthadtogiveitup，becauseitonlyconfusedthem，andwasquitebeyondtheircomprehension。Whenwedraggedthemonsterashore，withitselongatedsnoutstillembeddedinthelittlecanoe，Isawataglancethatthelong-dreadedevilspiritofthelagoonwasahugesawfish，fullyfourteenfeetlong，itsformidablesawalonemeasuringnearlyfivefeet。ThisinterestingweaponI
claimedasatrophy，andwhenIgotbacktowhereBrunoandhishumanchargewere，Iexhibitedittocrowdsofadmiringblacks，whohadlongheardoftheevilspirit。ThegreatfishitselfwascookedandeatenatoneofthebiggestcorroboreesIhadeverseen。
Theblackshadnotheoryoftheirown(savethesuperstitiousone)，astohowitgotintothelagoon；andtheonlysuppositionIcanofferis，thatitmusthavebeenbroughtthither，whenverysmallandyoung，eitherbyarain-cloudoratsomeunusuallybigfloodtime。
SodelightedweretheblacksattheserviceIhaddonethem，thattheypaidmethegreatestcomplimentintheirpowerbyofferingmeachieftainship，andinvitingmetostaywiththemforever。I
refusedtheflatteringoffer，however，asIwasquitebentongettingbacktoCambridgeGulf。
OnreturningtomyfriendsontheothersideofthelagoonI
learnedforthefirsttimethattherewasahalf-castegirllivingamongthem；andsubsequentinquirieswenttoprovethatherfatherwasawhitemanwhohadpenetratedintotheseregionsandlivedforsomelittletimeatleastamongtheblacks——muchasImyselfwasdoing。Myinterestinthematterwasfirstofallrousedbytheaccidentaldiscoveryofacairnfivefeetorsixfeethigh，madeoflooseflatstones。MyexperiencewassuchbythistimethatIsawataglancethiscairnwasnottheworkofanative。Drawingsandfigures，andavarietyofcuriouscharacters，werefaintlydiscernibleonsomeofthestones，butwerenotdistinctenoughtobelegible。
Onone，however，Idistinctlytracedtheinitials“L。L。，“whichhadwithstoodtheravagesoftimebecausethestonecontainingthemwasinaprotectedplace。
Naturallytheexistenceofthisstructuresetmeinquiringamongtheoldernativesastowhethertheyeverrememberedseeingawhitemanbefore；andthenIlearnedthatperhapstwentyyearspreviouslyamanlikemyselfHADmadehisappearanceinthoseregions，andhaddiedafewmonthsafterwards，beforethewifewho，accordingtocustom，wasallottedtohimhadgivenbirthtothehalf-castebabygirl，whowasnowawomanbeforeme。Theyneverknewthewhitestranger”sname，norwherehehadcomefrom。Thegirl，bytheway，wasbynomeansgood-looking，andherskinwasdecidedlymoreblackthanwhite；Icouldtellbyherhand，however，thatshewasahalf-
caste。
Onthestrengthofoursupposedaffinity，shewasofferedtomeasawife，andIacceptedher，moreasahelpforYambathananythingelse；shewascalledLuigi。Yamba，bytheway，wasanxiousthatI
shouldpossessatleasthalf-a-dozenwives，partlybecausethiscircumstancewouldbemoreinkeepingwithmyrank；butIdidnotfallinwiththeidea。Ihadquiteenoughtodoalreadytomaintainmyauthorityamongthetribeatlarge，anddidnotcaretohavetoruleinadditionhalf-a-dozenwomeninmyownestablishment。Thistribealwayslingersinmymemory，onaccountofthehalf-castegirl，whomInowbelievetohavebeenthedaughterofLudwigLeichhardt，thelostAustralianexplorer。Mr。
Gilessays：“LudwigLeichhardtwasasurgeonandbotanist，whosuccessfullyconductedanexpeditionfromMoretonBaytoPortEssington，onthenortherncoast。AmilitaryandpenalsettlementhadbeenestablishedatPortEssingtonbytheGovernmentofNewSouthWales，towhichcolonythewholeterritorythenbelonged。Atthissettlement——theonlypointofreliefaftereighteenmonths”
travel——Leichhardtandhisexhaustedpartyarrived。
“OfLeichhardt”ssadfate，intheinteriorofAustralia，nocertaintidingshaveeverbeenheard。I，whohavewanderedintoandreturnedalivefromthecuriousregionsheattemptedanddiedtoexplore，haveunfortunatelynevercomeacrossasinglerecord，noranyremainsortracesoftheparty。”
Leichhardtstartedonhislastsadventurewithapartyofeight，includingoneortwonativeblack-boys。Theyhadwiththemabouttwentyheadofbullocksbrokenintocarrypackloads。“Myfirstandsecondexpeditions，“saysGiles，“wereconductedentirelywithhorses，butinallsubsequentjourneysIwasaccompaniedbycamels。”Hisobject，likethatofLeichhardt，wastoforcehiswayacrossthethousandmilesofcountrythatlayuntroddenandunknownbetweentheAustraliantelegraphlineandthesettlementsupontheSwanRiver。AndGilesremarksthattheexplorationof1000milesinAustraliaisequaltoatleast10，000milesonanyotherpartoftheearth”ssurface——alwaysexceptingthePoles。
Icontinuedresidingontheshoresofthelagooninthehopethatmypatientwouldeventuallygetbetter，whenIproposedcontinuingmyjourneynorth。Iwasstillquiteunabletounderstandhisbabblings，althoughhewasforevermentioningthenamesofpersonsandplacesunknowntome；andheconstantlyspokeaboutsomeexploringparty。Heneveraskedmequestions，nordidhegetintoserioustroublewiththenatives，beingprivileged。Heneverdevelopedanydangerousvices，butwassimplychildlikeandimbecile。
GraduallyIhadnoticedthat，insteadofbecomingstronger，hewasfadingaway。Hewasconstantlytroubledwithamostdistressingcomplaint，andinadditiontothishewouldbeseizedwithfitsofdepression，whenhewouldremaininhishutfordaysatatimewithoutventuringout。Ialwaysknewwhatwasthematterwithhimwhenhewasnottobeseen。SometimesIwouldgointotryandcheerhimup，butusuallyitwasahopelesseffortonmypart。
Ofcoursehehadawifegivenhim，andthisyoungpersonseemedtoconsiderhimquiteanordinaryspecimenofthewhiteman。Indeed，shewasvastlyflattered，ratherthanotherwise，bytheattentionslavisheduponherhusbandbyherpeople。Onereasonforthistreatmentwasthatshewasconsideredaprivilegedpersontoberelatedinanywaytoonewhomthenativesregardedasalmostademi-god。Shelookedafterhimtoo，andkepthishutascleanaspossible。Onemorningsomethinghappened。Thegirlcamerunningformetogotoherhut，andtherelaythemysteriousstrangerapparentlystretchedoutfordead。Isoonrealisedthathewasinafitofsomekind。
Inowapproachthemomentoustimewhenthisunfortunatemanrecoveredhissenses。WhenheregainedconsciousnessafterthefitYambaandIwerewithhim，andsowashiswife。Ihadnotseenhimforsomedays，andwasmuchshockedatthechangethathadtakenplace。Hewasghastlypaleandverymuchemaciated。Iknewthatdeathwasathand。Justasheregainedconsciousness——Icanseethepicturenow；yes，wewereallaroundhisfragrantcouchofeucalyptusleaves，waitingforhimtoopenhiseyes——hegazedatmeinawaythatthrilledmestrangely，andIKNEWIWASLOOKINGATA
SANEWHITEMAN。Hisfirstquestionswere“WhereamI？Whoareyou？“EagerandtremblingIkneltdownbesidehimandtoldhimthelongandstrangestoryofhowIhadfoundhim，andhowhehadnowbeenlivingwithmenearlytwoyears。IpointedouttohimourfaithfulBruno，whohadoftentakenhimforlongwalksandbroughthimbacksafely，andwhohadsofrequentlydrivenawayfromhimdeadlysnakes，andwarnedhimwhenitwastimetoturnback。I
toldhimhewasinthecentreofAustralia；andthenItoldinbriefmyownextraordinarystory。IsentYambatoourshelterfortheletterIhadfoundinhistracks，andreaditaloudtohim。Henevertoldmewhothewriterofitwas。HelistenedtoallIhadtotellhimwithanexpressionofamazement，whichsoongaveplacetooneofweariness——thewearinessofutterweakness。Heaskedmetocarryhimoutsideintothesun，andIdidso，afterwardssquattingdownbesidehimandopeningupanotherconversation。HE
THENTOLDMEHISNAMEWASGIBSON，ANDTHATHEHADBEENAMEMBEROF
THEGILESEXPEDITIONOF1874。FromthatmomentIneverlefthimnightorday。HetoldmemuchaboutthatexpeditionwhichIcanneverreveal，forIdonotknowwhetherhewaslyingorraving。
Poor，vulgar，CockneyGibson！Heseemedtoknowfullwellthathewasdying，andthethoughtseemedtopleasehimratherthanotherwise。Heappearedtometobetootired，toowearytolive——
thatwasthepredominantsymptom。
IintroducedYambatohim，andwedideverythingwepossiblycouldtocheerhim，buthegraduallysanklowerandlower。Iwouldsay，“Cheerup，Gibson。Why，whenyouareabletowalkwewillmaketracksstraightwayforcivilisation。Iamsureyouknowtheway，fornowyouareasrightasIam。”Butnothinginterestedthedyingman。Shortlybeforetheendhiseyesassumedastrainedlook，andIcouldseehewasrapidlygoing。Thethoughtofhisapproachingendwastomearelief；itwouldbeuntrueifIweretosayotherwise。ForweekspastIhadseenthatthemancouldnotlive，andconsideringthateverydaybroughtitsbattleforlife，youwillreadilyunderstandthatthispoorhelplesscreaturewasaterribleburdentome。HehadsuchatenderskinthatatalltimesIwasobligedtokeephimclothed。Forsomelittletimehisoldshirtandtrousersdidduty，butatlengthIwascompelledtomakehimasuitofskins。Ofcourse，wehadnosoapwithwhichtowashhisgarments，butweusedtocleanthemafterafashionbydumpingthemdownintoakindofgreasymudandthentramplingonthem，afterwardsrinsingthemoutinwater。Moreover，hisfeetweresotenderthatIalwayshadtokeephimshodwithskinsandals。
Hisdeathbedwasadramaticscene——especiallyunderthecircumstances。PoorGibson！Tothinkthatheshouldhaveescapeddeathafterthosefearfulwaterlessdaysandnightsinthedesert，tolivefortwoyearswithawhiteprotector，andyetthendieofawastinganddistressingdisease！
Hespentthewholedayintheopenair，forhewasverymuchbetterwheninthesun。AtnightIcarriedhimbackintohishut，andlaidhiminthehammockwhichIhadlongagoslungforhim。YambaknewhewasdyingevenbeforeIdid，butshecoulddonothing。
Wetriedtheeffectofthecuriousherbcalled“pitchori，“butitdidnotrevivehim。“Pitchori，“bytheway，isakindofleafwhichthenativeschewinmomentsofdepression；ithasanexhilaratingeffectuponthem。
OnthelastdayIoncemoremadeupabedofeucalyptusleavesandrugsonthefloorofGibson”shut。Surroundinghimatthelastwerehiswife——averygoodandfaithfulgirl——Yamba，myself，andBruno——who，bytheway，knewperfectlywellthathisfriendwasdying。HekeptlickingpoorGibson”shandandchest，andthenfindingnoresponsewouldnestleupclosetohimforhalf-an-houratatime。Thentheaffectionatecreaturewouldretireoutsideandsetupaseriesoflow，melancholyhowls，onlytoruninagainwithhoperenewed。
PoorGibson！Thewomen-folkwereparticularlyattachedtohimbecauseheneverwentoutwiththemen，orwithme，onmyvariousexcursions，butremainedbehindintheircharge。Sometimes，however，hewouldfollowatourheelsasfaithfullyandinstinctivelyasBrunohimself。ForthepasttwoyearsBrunoandGibsonhadbeeninseparable，sleepingtogetheratnight，andneverpartingforamomentthewholedaylong。Indeed，IamsureBrunobecamemoreattachedtoGibsonthanhewastome。AndsoGibsondidnot，asIatonetimefearedhewould，passawayintotheGreatBeyond，carryingwithhimthesecretofhisidentity。Lookingathimashelaybackamongtheeucalyptusleaves，paleandemaciated，Iknewtheendwasnowverynear。
Ikneltbesidehimholdinghishand，andatlength，withagreateffort，heturnedtowardsmeandsaidfeebly，“Canyouhearanything？“Ilistenedintently，andatlastwascompelledtoreplythatIdidnot。“Well，“hesaid，“Ihearsomeonetalking。I
thinkthevoicesofmyfriendsarecallingme。”Ifanciedthatthepoorfellowwaswanderinginhismindagain，butstillhiseyesdidnotseemtohavethatvacantgazeIhadpreviouslynoticedinthem。
Hewaslookingsteadilyatme，andseemedtodivinemythoughts，forhesmiledsadlyandsaid，“No，IknowwhatIamsaying。Icanhearthemsinging，andtheyarecallingmeaway。Theyhavecomeformeatlast！“Histhinfacebrightenedupwithaslow，sadsmile，whichsoonfadedaway，andthen，givingmyhandaslightpressure，hewhisperedalmostinmyear，asIbentoverhim，“Good-
bye，comrade，I”moff。Youwillcometoo，someday。”Aslightshiver，andGibsonpassedpeacefullyaway。
CHAPTERXV
Lostinthedesert——Gibson”sdyingadvice——GilesmeetsGibson——A
fountaininthedesert——Aterriblefix——Gilesregainshiscamp——
Gibson”seffects——Mysterioustracks——Atreasuredpossession——A
perfectparadise——Grapevinesafailure——Atrainedcockatoo——Anextraordinaryfestival——Mytheoryofthe“ghosts。”
Afterthefuneralhiswifefollowedouttheusualnativeconventions。Shecoveredherselfwithpipeclayforaboutonemonth。Shealsomournedandhowledfortheprescribedthreedays，andgashedherheadwithstoneknives，untilthebloodpoureddownherface。Gibson”sbodywasnotburiedintheearth，butembalmedwithclayandleaves，andlaidonarock-shelfinacave。
ThegeneralbeliefwasthatGibsonhadmerelygonebacktotheSpiritLandfromwhencehehadcome，andthat，ashewasagreatandgoodman，hewouldreturntoearthintheformofabird——
perhapsanibis，whichwasveryhighindeed。ImustsayIneverattachedverymuchimportancetowhathesaid，eveninhissanemoments，becausehewasobviouslyamanoflowintelligenceandnoculture。IfIrememberrightly，hetoldmethattheexpeditiontowhichhewasattachedleftAdelaidewiththeobjectofgoingoverlandtoFremantle。Itwasthoroughlywellequipped，andforalongtimeeverythingwentwellwiththeparty。Oneday，whilstsomeofthemwereoffexploringontheirownaccount，helosthimself。
Heratherthoughtthatthesunmusthaveaffectedhisbraineventhen，becausehedidn”ttrytofindhiscompanionsthatnight，butwenttosleepquitecontentedlyunderatree。Herealisedthehorrorofhispositionkeenlyenoughthenextmorning，however，androdemileaftermilewithouthaltingforfoodorwater，inthehopeofquicklyregaininghisfriendsatthechiefcamp。Butnightstoledownuponhimoncemore，andhewasstillalonelywanderer，halfdeliriouswiththirst；thesupplyhehadcarriedwithhimhadlongsincegivenout。
Nextmorning，whenherousedhimself，hefoundthathishorsehadwanderedawayandgotlost。Afterthishehadonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened。Promptedbysomestrange，unaccountableimpulse，hesetoutonahopelesssearchforwater，andwentwalkingonandonuntilallrecollectionfadedaway，andherememberednomore。HowlonghehadbeenlostwhenIfoundhimhecouldnotsay，becauseheknewabsolutelynothingwhateverabouthisrescue。SofarasIremember，hewasatypicalspecimenoftheAustralianpioneer——amanoffinephysique，withafullbeardandafrank，butunintelligent，countenance。Hewasperhapsfivefeetnineinchesinheight，andaboutthirtyyearsofage。WhenItoldhimthestoryofmyadventureshewasfullofearnestsympathyforme，andtoldmethatifeverIintendedleavingthoseregionsforcivilisationagain，mybestplanwouldbetosteermoresouth-east，asitwasinthatdirectionthatAdelaidelay。
Healsoinformedmethatthegreattrans-Continentaltelegraphwirewasbeingconstructedfromnorthtosouth。Thisheadvisedmetostrikeandfollowtocivilisation。
ImaybepermittedalittledigressionheretogiveafewextractsfromGiles”sbook，“AustraliaTwiceTraversed“(SampsonLow&
Company)，forthiscontainstheversionoftheleaderoftheexpeditionhimselfastothecircumstancesunderwhichGibsonwaslost。Inall，itseems，GilesmadefiveexploringexpeditionsintoandthroughCentralSouthAustraliaandWesternAustraliafrom1872
to1876。Speakingofhissecondexpedition，Mr。Gilessays：“I
hadinformedmyfriend，BaronVonMueller，bywirefromtheCharlotteWatersTelegraphstation，ofthefailureandbreak-upofmyfirstexpedition，andhesettoworkandobtainednewfundsformetocontinuemylabours。IreachedAdelaidelateinJanuary1873，andgotmypartytogether。WeleftearlyinMarchof1873，andjourneyedleisurelyup-countrytoBeltana，thenpasttheFinnisSpringstotheGregory。WethenjourneyeduptothePeake，wherewewerewelcomedbyMessrs。BagotattheCattleStation，andMr。
BloodoftheTelegraphDepartment。Herewefixedupallourpacks，soldBagotthewaggon，andboughthorsesandotherthings。Wenowhadtwentypack-horsesandfourriding-horses。”
WenextcometotheintroductionofGibson。“Hereashortyoungmanaccostedme，andaskedmeifIdidn”trememberhim。Hesaidhewas”Alf。”IthoughtIknewhisface，butIthoughtitwasatthePeakethatIhadseenhim；buthesaid，”Oh，no！Don”tyourememberAlf，withBagot”ssheepatthenorth-westbendoftheMurray？Myname”sAlfGibson，andIwanttogooutwithyou。”I
said，”Well，canyoushoe？Canyouride？Canyoustarve？Canyougowithoutwater？Andhowwouldyouliketobespearedbytheblacks？”HesaidhecoulddoeverythingIhadmentioned，andhewasn”tafraidoftheblacks。HewasnotamanIwouldhavepickedoutofamob，butmenwerescarce，andheseemedsoanxioustocome，soIagreedtotakehim。
“Thus，theexpeditionconsistedoffourpersons——myself(ErnestGiles)，Mr。WilliamHenryTietkins，AlfGibson，andJamesAndrews；
withtwenty-fourhorsesandtwolittledogs。OnMonday，4thAugust，wefinallylefttheencampment。”
NowhereisthepassageinwhichMr。GilesdescribeshisdramaticpartingwithGibson。Itwillbefoundinthechaptermarked“20thAprilto21stMay1874“：“GibsonandIdepartedfortheWest。I
rodethe”FairMaidofPerth。”IgaveGibsonthebigamblinghorse，”Badger”andwepackedthebigcobwithapairofwater-
bagsthatcontainedtwentygallons。Aswerodeaway，IwastellingGibsonaboutvariousexploringexpeditionsandtheirfate，andhesaid，”Howisitthat，inalltheseexploringexpeditions，alotofpeoplegoanddie？”Hesaid，”Ishouldn”tliketodieinthispartofthecountry，anyhow。”
“Wepresentlyhadamealofsmokedhorse。Itwaslatewhenweencamped，andthehorsesweremuchinwantofwater，——especiallythebigcob，whokeptcominguptothecampallnightandtryingtogetatourwater-bags。Wehadonesmallwater-baghunginatree。
“Ididn”tthinkofthatuntilmymarecamestraightuptoitandtookitinherteeth，forcingoutthecork，andsendingthewaterup，whichwewerebothdyingtodrink，inabeautifuljet。Gibsonwasnowverysorryhehadexchanged”Badger”forthecob，ashefoundthelatterverydullandheavytogetalong。Therehadbeenahotwindfromthenorthallday，andthefollowingmorning(the23rdofApril)，therewasamoststrangedampnessintheair，andI
hadavaguefeeling，suchasmusthavebeenfeltbyaugursandseersofold，whotrembledastheytoldeventstocome；FORTHIS
WASTHELASTDAYONWHICHIEVERSAWGIBSON。
“AsGibsoncamealongafterme，hecalledoutthathishorsewasgoingtodie。Thehillstothewestweretwenty-fivetothirtymilesaway，andIhadtogiveuptryingtoreachthem。HowI
longedforacamel！Gibson”shorsewasnowsobadastoplacebothofusinagreatdilemma。Weturnedbackinourtracks，whenthecobrefusedtocarryhisrideranyfarther，andtriedtoliedown。
Wedrovehimanothermileonfoot，anddownhefelltodie。Mymare，the”FairMaidofPerth”wasonlytoowillingtoreturn，butshehadnowtocarryGibson”ssaddleandthings，andawaywewent，walkingandridinginturnsofonehalf-houreach。
“WhenwegotbacktoaboutthirtymilesfromaplacewhichIhadnamed”TheKegs”IshoutedtoGibson，whowasriding，tostopuntilIwalkeduptohim。Bythistimewehadhardlyapintofwaterleftbetweenus。
