But，itmaybeasked，whydidItakethetroubletosupplyeverythingthatwalkedandflewandcrawledwithwaterwhenwaterwassoprecious？Amoment”sthoughtwillfurnishtheanswer。IfI
sufferedalltheanimals，birds，andreptilestodie，Imyselfwouldbewithoutfood，andthenmylaststatewouldbeconsiderablyworsethanthefirst。
Ithinkthesnakeswerethemostungratefulcreaturesofall。
Sometimestheywoulddeliberatelycoilthemselvesupinthetroughitself，andsopreventthebirdsfromapproaching。Ialwaysknewwhensomethingofthiskindhadhappened，becauseofthefrightfulscreechingandgeneraluproarsetupbytheindignantbirds——thatistosay，suchashadthepowertoscreechleft。Iwouldhurrytothespotanddragoutthecauseofthetroublewithaforkedstick。
Ineverkilledhim，becausetherewerealreadyenoughofhiskinddeadoneveryside。Theverytreesandgrassdied；andinthisoriginatedanotheralmostequallyterribleperil——thebushfires，ofwhichmorehereafter。Talkingaboutsnakes，onedayIhadanarrowescapefromoneoftheseungratefulreptiles。Anumberofbabysnakeshadswarmedintothetrough，andIwasintheveryactofangrilyremovingthemwhenIheardashoutofhorrorfromYamba。
Iswunground，instinctivelyleapingsidewaysasIdidso，andthere，rearingitselfhighintheair，wasanenormoussnake，fullytwentyfeetlong。Yamba，withoutamoment”shesitation，aimedatremendousblowatitandsmasheditshead。
Thedroughtwasproductiveofallkindsofcuriousandremarkableincidents。Theemuscameingreatflockstothedrinking-trough，andsomeofthemweresofargonethattheyfelldeadonlyafewyardsfromthefountoflife。Ipickedupagreatnumberofthesehugebirds，andmadetheirskinsintousefulbedcoverings，rugs，andevenarticlesofclothing。WhenthisterriblevisitationwasatitsheightYambamadeacurioussuggestiontome。Addressingmegravelyonenightshesaid，“YouhaveoftentoldmeoftheGreatSpiritwhomyourpeopleworship；Hecandoallthingsandgrantallprayers。CanyounotappealtoHimnowtosenduswater？“Itwasalittlebitawkwardforme，butasIhadoftenchattedtomywifeabouttheDeity，andtoldherofHisomnipotenceandHisgreatgoodnesstomankind，Iwasmoreorlessobligedtoadoptthissuggestion。AccordinglysheandIkneltdowntogetheronenightinourdwelling，andofferedupanearnestprayertoGodthatHewouldsendwatertotheafflictedcountry。Nextmorningthatwhichseemedtomeamiraclehadbeenwrought。Incrediblethoughitmayappear，allthecreeks，whichuntilthepreviousnighthadbeenmeredrywatercoursesforanuntoldnumberofmonths，wereripplingandrunningwiththemuch-neededwater，andweweresavedallfurtheranxiety，atanyrateforthetime。Theremaybe，however，somescientificexplanationofthisextraordinaryoccurrence。
Nosoonerhadwerecoveredfromthedelightcausedbythisphenomenallysuddenchangethantheraincame——suchrain！andthetremendoustropicaldownpourlastedforseveralweeks。Thecountrysoonrevertedtosomethinglikeitsnormalappearance。
Thebushfireswereextinguished，andevenmylagooncameintoexistenceagain。
Talkingaboutbushfires，weoftensawthemragingmadlyandsublimelyinthemountains。Theywouldburnforweeksatastretch，anddevastatehundredsofmilesofcountry。Forourselves，wealwayspreparedforsuchemergenciesby“ringing“ourdwelling——thatistosay，layingbareacertainstretchofcountryinaperfectcirclearoundus。Oftenwewerealmostchokedbytheintenseheatwhichthewindoccasionallywaftedtous，andwhich，combinedwiththeblazingsunandscarcityofwater，renderedlifepositivelyintolerable。
InowwishtosayafewwordsaboutBruno——afewlastsorrowfulwords——becauseatthisperiodhewasgrowingfeeble，and，indeed，hadneverbeenthesamesincethedeathofGibson。Still，Iwasconstantlymakinguseofhissagacitytoimpresstheblacks。Myusualcustomwastohidesomearticle(suchasmytomahawk)，nearthehouseinBruno”spresence，andthenstartoffonatrampaccompaniedbytheblacks。
AfterwehadgoneafewmilesIwouldsuddenlycallahalt，andpretendtomycompanionsthatIhadforgottensomething。ThenI
wouldorderBrunotogobackandfetchit，withmanymysteriouswhisperings。Thedear，sagaciousbrutealwaysunderstoodwhatI
wantedhimtodo，andinthecourseofperhapsanhourortwohewouldcomeandlaythearticleatmyfeet，andaccepttheflatteringadulationofmyblackcompanionswiththeutmostcalmnessandindifference。Brunoneverforgotwhatwasrequiredofhimwhenweencounteredanewtribeofblacks。Hewouldalwayslooktomeforhiscue，andwhenhesawmecommencemyacrobaticfeats，hetoowouldgothroughhislittlerepertoire，barkingandtumblingandrollingaboutwithwonderfulenergy。
HisquaintlittlewayshadsoendearedhimtomethatIcouldnotbeartothinkofanythinghappeningtohim。Ononeoccasion，whengoingthroughaburning，sandydesert，bothheandIsufferedterriblyfromthehot，loosesandwhichpouredbetweenourtoesandcausedusgreatsuffering。PoorBrunoprotestedintheonlywayhecould，whichwasbystoppingfromtimetotimeandgivingventtothemostmournfulhowls。Besides，Icouldtellfromthegingerlywayheputhisfeetdownthattheburningsandwouldsoonmakeitimpossibleforhimtogoanyfarther。Ithereforemadehimasetofmoccasinsoutofkangarooskin，andtiedthemonhisfeet。
Thesehealwaysworeafterwardswhentraversingsimilardeserts，andeventuallyhebecamesoaccustomedtothemthatassoonaswereachedthesandhewouldcometomeandputuphispawsappealinglytohavehis“boots“puton！
Butnowagebegantotelluponhim；hewasgettingstiffinhislimbs，andseldomaccompaniedmeonhuntingexpeditions。Heseemedonlytowanttosleepanddrowseawaytheday。Hehadbeenasplendidkangaroohunter，andtookquiteanextraordinaryamountofpleasureinthispursuit。Hewouldrundownthebiggestkangarooand“bailhimup“unerringlyunderatree；andwheneverthedoomedanimaltriedtogetawayBrunowouldimmediatelygoforhistail，andcompelhimtostandatbayoncemoreuntilIcameuptogivethecoupdegrace。Ofcourse，Brunoreceivedanastykicksometimesandoccasionallyabitefromasnake，poisonousandotherwise。HewasnotayoungdogwhenIhadhimfirst；andIhadnowmadeupmymindthathecouldnotlivemuchlonger。HepaidbutlittleattentioninthesedaystoeitherYambaormyself，andinthisconditionhelingeredonforayearormore。
OnemorningIwentintothesecondhut——whichwestillcalledGibson”s，bytheway，althoughhehadneverlivedthere——whentomydismayandhorror(notwithstandingthatIwaspreparedfortheevent)，IbeheldmypoorBrunolaidoutstiffandstarkonthelittleskinrugthatGibsonhadoriginallymadeforhim。IdonotthinkIknewhowmuchIlovedhimuntilhewasgone。AsIstoodthere，withthetearscoursingdownmycheeks，allthestrangeeventsofmywondrouscareerseemedtorisebeforemymind——eventsinwhichpoordeadBrunoalwaystookanactivepart。Hewaswithmeonthewreck；hewaswithmeontheisland；hewaswithmeinallmywanderingsandthroughallmysufferingsandtriumphs。Hegotmeoutofmanyascrape，andhiscuriouslittleeccentricities，likes，anddislikesaffordedmenever-endingdelight。Butnowhewasgonethewayofallflesh；andalthoughIhadexpectedthisblowformanymonths，Idonotthinkthismitigatedmypoignantgrief。Yamba，too，wasterriblygrievedathisdeath，forshehadbecomemostdevotedlyattachedtohimandhetoher。Irolledthebodyofthefaithfulcreatureinakindofpreservativeearthandtheninanoutercoveringofbark。ThisdoneIlaidhimonashelfinoneofthecaveswherethewilddogscouldnotgetathim，andwherethebodyofGibson，similarlytreated，hadalsobeenplaced。
CHAPTERXVIII
Imakeaperambulator——Meetingwithwhites——Adreadfulhabit——ThemiracleofMoses——Preparingademonstration——Anexpectantaudience——
Yambagrowingfeeble——Onetiesnapped——Yamba”spatheticefforts——
Vainhopes——Yambadying——Nearingtheend——Mysoledesire——Amassofgold——Iseektrousersandshirt——Aninterestinggreeting——A
startlingquestion——TowardsMountMargaret——TheFrenchConsul——I
reachLondon。
Ialwaysfeltinstinctivelythatanyattemptatmissionaryenterpriseonmypartwouldbedangerous，andmightbesidesaffordjealousmedicine-menandotherpossibleenemiesanexcellentopportunityofunderminingmyinfluence。
Sometimes，however，whenallthetribewasgatheredtogether，I
wouldbringupthesubjectofcannibalism，andtellthemthattheGreatSpirittheyfearedsomuchhadleftwithmeawrittenmessageforbiddingallfeastingoffthebodiesofhumanbeings。The“writtenmessage“IreferredtoontheseoccasionswasmyoldBible。Ofcoursetheblacksfailedtounderstanditspurportasabook，havingnowrittenlanguageoftheirown；butmymannerandwordsservedtoimpressthem。
MynativesseemedevertomanifestthekeenestinterestintheaccountsIgavethemofthewonderfulresourcesofcivilisation；
butexperienceshowedthatImustadaptmydescriptionstotheintellectofmyhearers。Forexample，Iusedtotellthemthatinthegreatcities(“camps“Icalledthem)therewasneveranyrealdarknessifmenchose，becausetherewereotherlightsatcommandwhichcouldbeturnedoffandonatwill。Themosteffectiveanalogyinthisrespectwasthetwinklingofthestarsintheheavens；butmyhearersweregreatlyamazedtothinkthatsuchlightscouldbeunderthecommandofman。
Theblackshadlongsinceputmedownasagreatspiritcometovisitthem，andtheyevenlocatedbycommonconsentacertainstarintheheavenswhichtheydecidedwasatonetimemyhome，andtowhichIshouldeventuallyreturn。EverytimeImadeafalsestep，Ihadtodevisesomenew“miracle“bywayofcounterblast。
OnoneoccasionIactuallymadeaperambulatorfortheconveyanceofchildren！Itwastheveryfirsttimethattheseprimitivesavageshadseentheprincipleofthewheelappliedtolocomotion，anditpassedtheircomprehensionaltogether。Withchildishdelightandanuproarthatbafflesalldescription，bothmenandwomenalmostfoughtwithoneanotherforthehonourofpushingthecrudelittleconveyanceabout。Theperambulatorwasmadeoutoflogs，andwasafour-wheeledvehicle；therimsofthewheelsbeingcutfromahollowtree。Myblackswerealsomuchamazedatthegreatsizeofmymountainhome；buttheirwondermentincreasedgreatlywhenIexplainedtothemthatsomeofthebuildingsinthegreat“camps“ofthewhitemanwereaslargeasthehills，andmuchmorenumerous。
ElsewhereIhavespokenoftheextraordinarysystemoftelegraphythatexistsamongtheblacks。Well，intheearlyeightiesnewsbegantoreachmethatnumbersofwhitemenhadappearedinthenorth；andinoneofmymanylongtrampsIonedaycameuponapartyofwhitemenengagedinprospecting。Ispeakofthisremarkablemeetingthusabruptlybecausetheirtentmetmygazeinthemostabruptmannerpossible。ItiseversointheAustralianbush。
Ifoundthatthispartywasbynomeansanisolatedone，andI
actuallystayedinvariouscampsforafewdays，beforereturningtomymountainhome。IneedhardlyremarkthatthewhitemenwerefarmoreastonishedtoseemethanIwasatmeetingthem。OfcourseIcouldhavejoinedthemandgonebacktocivilisation，butthisIwouldnotdowithoutmynativewifeandfamily。ItwasintheKimberleydistrictthatImetthesepartiesofprospectors；andImayhereremarkthatIhadforsometimebeenawareoftheexistenceofthisauriferousregion。IlearnedafterwardsthattheKimberleywasgeographicallythenearestpointImighthavemadeforinordertoreachcivilisation。
WhenIsettleddownagaininmymountainhomeIsoonfellintomyoldwayofliving，whichwaspracticallyidenticalwiththatoftheblacks，savethatIdidnotalwaysaccompanythemwhentheyshiftedcamp。Partiesofnativeswereconstantlycallinguponme，andwouldstayperhapsthreeorfourdaysatatime。Iencouragedthesevisits，andinvariablypreparedsomeentertainmentformyguests，——evengoingtotheextentofprovidingthemwithwives，accordingtonativecustom。But，youwillask，wheredidIgetwivestohandroundinthisconvenientfashion？Averyinterestingquestionthis，andonewhichrequiresasomewhatlengthyanswer。
Now，theblacksdonotlookupontheadventofafemalechildwithanyfavour；onthecontrary，theyfrequentlygetridofitatonceinordertosavethemselvesthetroubleoftakingitwiththemwhenonthewalk-about。
AsIwasalwaysveryfondofchildren，Idecidedtotryandputastoptothisdreadfulhabitofchild-murder，soImadeitknownfarandwidethatparentscouldpasstheirgirl-babiesontome，andI
wouldrearandlookafterthem。Theresultofthiswidely-
advertisedofferwasthatIsoonhadquiteanorphanasylumestablished——aninstitutionwhichwasvaluabletomeinmanyways。
QuiteapartfromthesatisfactionIderivedfromknowingIhadsavedthesechildrenfromaterribledeath，Iwaslookeduponasakindofprospectivefather-in-lawonagiganticscale，andyoungmencamefromallpartstotreatwithmeforwives。
AsIhavesaidbefore，myregularreceptiondayswereheldatthenewmoon。
Myvisitors，aswellasmyownpeople，graduallygrewtohavequiteareverencefortheBible；butIamafraiditwasnotonaccountofthesacrednessofthebook，butratherowingtothewonderfulthingsitcontained，andwhichwereinterpretedbymeinsuchawayaswouldappealdirectlytotheprimitivemindsofthesepeople。
OftentimesImademistakes。Forinstance，whatseemedtointerestthemenormouslywasthestoryofhowMosesstrucktherockandobtainedamiraculoussupplyofwater。Anythinginthewayoffreshwaterprocuredinthedesertinterestedthemkeenly。Only，unfortunately，theyflooredmebyaskingmetoaccomplishasimilarmiracle！
AnotherBiblestorywhichbroughtmesomediscomfiturewasaboutBalaamandhisass。Now，whenIdecidedtotellthestoryofBalaam，IknewfromexperiencethatifImentionedan“ass，“thatanimalwouldrequireallkindsoftediousexplanation，whichwouldprobablyresultinneedlessmystificationandconsequentsuspicion；
soIboldlyplungedintothestoryofBALAAMANDHISKANGAROO！ButwhatstaggeredtheblacksaltogetherwasthatBalaam”skangarooshouldbeabletospeak。Now，itseemsthatatalkinganimalisthegreatestpossiblejokeknowntotheblacks，andsomynarrativewasgreetedwithuproariousmirth；andmy“impossible“storyevenspreadfromtribetotribe。Ifounditwasnousetellingtheblacksanythingtheycouldnotreadilycomprehend。
OnedayItoldthemaboutthedestructionofSodomandGomorrahbyfireandbrimstone，andthisagainlandedmeindisaster，forIwaspromptlyaskedhowcouldanyone，GreatSpiritorother，burnupTHESTONESofwhichthehouseswerecomposed？And，ofcourse，eachinstanceofthiskindwouldbepounceduponbyatribalmedicine-
manorsomeotherjealousenemy，andusedtodiscreditme。AfewdaysaftertellingtheSodomandGomorrahstory，Iwasonawalk-
aboutwithYambainmymountainregion，whenIsuddenlydiscoveredthatshaleexistedinveryconsiderablequantities，andIthereuponconceivedtheideaofdemonstratingtotheblacksthat，notonlywastheBiblenarrativeatrueone，butthatitwasquitepossibletoignitestone；ANDIWOULDEVENSHOWTHEMHOWITWASDONE！
AidedbyYambaandothermembersofmyfamily，Iconstructedanimmenseshaft-likecairn，mainlycomposedofloosepiecesofshaleintermixedwithsandstone。Iputinthesandstoneandotherstones，partlyinorderthattheblacksmightnotnoticetheuniformconstructionofthecairn；andpartlyalsobecauseIknewthatwhentheordinarystoneswereheated，theywouldprobablyburstorexplodewithaloudsound，andsoterrifythesuperstitiousonlookers。Thecairnwasaboutfifteenfeethigh，withanopeningatthesummitandothersmallopeningsatthesidesinordertoensureagooddraught。AtthebaseIleftanopeningsufficientlylargeformetocrawlthrough。ThenIplacedinsideaquantityofinflammablematerial——suchaswoodanddrybark；——andasallthesepreparationswentforwardinaveryleisurelymanner，mymonthlyreceptionwasquiteduewheneverythingwasready。
Wishingtohaveanexceptionallylargegathering，IsentoutinvitationstoallthesurroundingtribestocomeandseemywonderfulperformanceatwhichIwould“setfiretotherocksandstones。”
Aperfectlyenormouscrowdassembledatthetimeappointed，formypreviousachievementshadledtheblack-fellowstosupposeIhadsomemarvellousmanifestationinstoreforthem。NevercanI
forgetthekeennesswithwhichthatgreatassemblyanticipatedtheentertainmentinstoreforthem。Andremember，theyweregrowingprettyblasebythistime，havingwitnessedsomanymiracles。
Inthetwilightoftheevening，whenthemurmurofthemultitudewashushed，Icrawledcautiouslyintothecairn(Ishouldhavebeenburiedalivehaditcollapsed)，andatoncecommencedoperationswiththeflintandsteelandtinderwhichIhadtakencaretoleavethere。InanotherminuteIhadsetfiretothewoodanddrymaterialthatfilledthebottomoftheshaft。WhenIwassatisfiedthatitwasthoroughlyalight，Idiscreetlywithdrewandjoinedthewonderingcrowd，whichIhadforbiddentoapproachtooclose。
Densecloudsofsmokewerenowrollingfromtheaperturesofthegreatcairn，andinashorttimetheshaftwasafierceandragingfurnace，withtheordinarystonesredhotandoccasionallyburstingwithloudexplosions，whichthrewshowersofglowingslaghighintotheair。
Theblackswerealmostparalysedwithfear，andmanyofthemthrewthemselvesprostrateontheground，ignoringthehailofstonesthatfellupontheirnakedbodies。Istalkedaboutmajesticallyamongthem，exultinginmypowerandthesuccessofmymanifestation。Thebigcairnburntformanydaysmorefiercelythanevenastackofcoalwoulddo；andIneverceasedtowonderthattheblacksthemselveshadnotlongagofoundouttheinflammablenatureofthe“stone。”
BythistimeYambacouldspeakEnglishtolerablywell，butwedidnotinvariablyusethatlanguage。
GraduallyandhalfunconsciouslyIfellintothehabitofspeakingthenativetongue，untilIsuddenlyfoundthatthepracticewasobtainingsuchafirmholduponmethatIwasforgettingFrenchaltogether；whilstitwasonlywithdifficultythatIcouldformgrammaticalsentencesinEnglish。Isooncametotheconclusion，therefore，thatitwasnecessaryformetoholdmuchmoreconverseinEnglishthanIhadhithertodone；andfromthemomentthatthiscurious“scare“suggesteditselftomymind，YambaandIandourchildrenspokenothingbutEnglishwhenwewerebyourselvesintheevening。IcultivatedmyknowledgeofEnglishinpreferencetoanyotherlanguage，becauseIknewthatifeverweshouldreachcivilisation，EnglishandnotFrenchwouldbethelanguagespoken。
ItmaybeinterestingalsotomentionthatoneofthefirstindicationsIhadthatIwaslosingmyEnglishwasaninabilitytoTHINKinthatlanguage。
IngeneralappearanceIwasnowabsolutelylikeablack，andworeonlyanapronofemuskinasaprotectionagainstthescrubI
encounteredwhenonthewalk-about。IntheordinarywayIneverhadanymarksuponmewiththeexceptionofthesescratches。Ofcourse，onfestiveoccasions，Iwasgailypaintedanddecorated，andnodoubtIwouldhavebeeninitiatedintomanhood，andbornethetribalandothermarks，wereitnotforthefactthatIwasamanwhenIcameamongtheblacks。
Itisobviouslyimpossibleformetorecordminutelythehappeningsofeveryday，mainlybecauseonlythesalientincidentsstandoutinmymind。Besides，Ihavealreadydealtwiththedailyroutine，andhaveprobablyrepeatedmyselfinminordetails。
Aconstantsourceofgrieftomewastheweaklyconditionofmytwochildren，whoIknewcouldneverattainmatureage。Andknowingtheyweredoomed，IthinkIlovedthemallthemore。
YetsoincomprehensibleishumannaturethatIoftenfoundmyselfspeculatingonwhatIshoulddoafterthey——andYamba——weregone；
becausebythistimemyfaithfulhelpmatewasgrowingominouslyfeeble。YoumustrememberthatwhenIfirstmetheronthedesertislandshewasanoldishwoman，judgedbythenativestandard；thatistosay，shewasaboutthirty。
Thedeath-bedofmyboyisasceneIcanneverforget。Hecalledmetohim，andsaidhewasverygladhewasdying，becausehefelthewouldneverhavebeenstrongenoughtofighthiswaythroughlife，andenduredailywhattheotherblackboysendured。
Therefore，hearguedwistfully，andhalfinquiringly，hewouldonlybeaburdentome。Hewasaveryaffectionateandconsideratelittlefellow，withanintelligencefarbeyondthatoftheordinaryaboriginalchild。HespokeinEnglish，becauseIhadtaughtbothhimandhissisterthatlanguage。AtthelastIlearned——forthefirsttime——thatitwasalwaysworryinghim，andalmostbreakinghislittleheart，thathecouldnevercompetewiththeblackboysintheirgamesofstrengthandskill；andnodoubthewouldhavebecomeanoutcastwereitnotthathewasmyson。
AlmosthislastwhisperedwordstomewerethathewouldbeabletoassistmemoreintheSpirit-landthaneverhecouldhopetodointheflesh。Hewasperfectlyconscioustothelast，andasIkneltdownbyhiscouchoffragranteucalyptusleaves，andstoopedlowtocatchhiswhisperedmessage，hetoldmeheseemedtobeenteringabeautifulnewcountry，wherethebirdsalwayssangandtheflowersbloomedforever。Spiritvoiceskeptcallinghim，hesaid，andhefelthimselfbeingirresistiblydrawnawayfromme。
UponmyownfeelingsIdonotwishtodwell。AllIwillsayisI
kissedmyboyontheeyesandmouth，andthen，withasoft“Good-
bye，theyhavecomeforme，“heclosedhiseyesforever。
Ifeltitwastobe。Afewdaysafterwardsthelittlegirl，myremainingchild，wastakenill，andsofeeblewasshe，thatshesoonjoinedherbrotherinthebetterland。Iseemedtobeoverwhelmedwithmisfortunes，butthegreatestofallwasyettocome。IhavehintedthatYambawasbeginningtoshowsignsofinfirmitythroughadvancingyears。Icouldnothelpnoticing，withavaguefeelingofhelplesshorrorandsickeningforeboding，thatshehadlostherhighspiritsandkeenperception——tosaynothingabouttheelasticityofhertreadandherwonderfulphysicalendurancegenerally。Shewasnolongerabletoaccompanymeonthelongandinterestingtrampswhichwehadnowtakentogetherforsomanyyears。Herskinbegantowitherandwrinkle，andshegraduallytookontheappearanceofaveryoldwoman。TheresultofthiswasIbegantohavefitsoffrightfuldepressionandacutemisery。Istayedathomeagooddealnow，partlybecauseIknewthecountrythoroughlyandnolongercaredtoexplore，andpartlyalsobecauseImissedthecompanionshipandinvaluableassistanceofmydevotedwife。IconstantlybuoyedmyselfupwiththehopethatYambawasonlyailingtemporarily，andthatherenfeebledconditionhadbeenbroughtonmainlybythemisfortunesthathadbefallenusoflate。Butshegrewmoreandmorefeeble，andbothsheandIknewthattheendwasnotfaroff。Neveronce，however，didwealludetosuchacatastrophe；andwheneverIfixedmyeyesearnestlyuponherinthevainhopeofdiscerningsomemorefavourablesymptom，shewouldpretendnottonoticeme。
Iwouldsometimestakeherforalongwalk，whichwasreallymuchbeyondherstrength，solelyinorderthatwemightdeludeourselveswithvainhopes。Andshe，poorcreature，wouldtaxherselffarbeyondherstrengthinordertoaffordmeahappinesswhichtherealstateofthingsdidnotjustify。
Forinstance，shewouldrunandleapandjumpinordertoshowthatshewasasyoungasever；butafterthesestrangeandpatheticdemonstrationsshewouldendeavourtoconcealhergreatexhaustion。
VerysoonmypoorYambawasobligedtoremainathomealtogether；
andasshegrewmoreandmoreinfirm，shepluckedupcouragetotellmethatsheknewshewasgoingtodie，andwasrathergladthanotherwise，becausethenIwouldbeabletoreturntocivilisation——thatgoalforwhichIhadyearnedthroughsomanyyears。Shepointedouttomethatitwouldnotbesodifficultnow，asIhadalreadybeenbroughtintocontactwithpartiesofwhitemen；and，besides，wehadlongagohadnewsbroughttousabouttheconstructionoftheTrans-ContinentalTelegraphLinefromAdelaidetoPortDarwin。NosoonerhadshespokenofdeaththanI
brokedownagainaltogether。Thethoughtthatsheshouldbetakenfrommewassocruelthatitscontemplationwasquiteinsupportable，andIthrewmyselfdownbesideherinaperfectagonyofgriefanddread。
ItoldherIdidnotmindhowlongIremainedamongtheblackssolongasshewaswithme；andItriedtopersuadeher，withalltheeloquenceIcouldmuster，that，farfromdying，shewouldreturntocivilisationwithme，sothatImightspreadabroadtothewholeworldthestoryofherdevotionandhervirtues。Asshecontinuedmerelytosmilepityingly，Ichangedmytoneanddweltuponthepast。Iwentthroughthewholestoryofmylife，fromthetimeshewascastuponthedesertislandintheSeaofTimor，andattherecitalofallthehardshipsanddangers，joysandtroubles，whichwehadpassedthroughtogether，shebrokedownalso，andweweptlongandbitterlyinoneanother”sarms。
BythistimeshehadbecomeaconverttoChristianity，butthiswasentirelyamatterofherownseeking。Shehadsuchimplicitbeliefinmywisdomandknowledge，thatshebeggedmetotellherallaboutmyreligioninorderthatshemightadoptitasherown。
Likemostconverts，shewasfilledwithfieryzealandenthusiasm，andtriedtosoftentheapproachingterrorbytellingmeshewasquitehappyatthethoughtofgoing，becauseshewouldbeabletolookaftermeevenmorethaninthepast。“Howdifferentitwouldhavebeenwithme，“sheusedtosay，“hadIremainedwithmyoldtribe。IshouldstillbeunderthebeliefthatwhenIdiedmyhigheststatewouldbetobeturnedintoananimal；butnowIknowthatagloriousfutureawaitsus，andthatinduetimeyouwilljoinmeinheaven。”
Yambadidnotsufferanyphysicalpain，norwassheactuallyconfinedtoherbeduntilfourdaysbeforeherdeath。AsthevarioustribesknewtheloveandadmirationIhadforher，thefactthatshelaydyingspreadrapidly，andcrowdsofnativesflockedtomymountainhome。
Widespreadsympathywasexpressedforme；andallkindsoftenderconsiderationwereevincedbythesesavages。Alldaylonganincessantstreamofwomen-folkkeptcomingtothehutandinquiringaftermydyingwife。
ItseemedtobeYamba”ssoleanxietythatIshouldbewellequippedforthejourneybacktocivilisation。Shewouldrehearsewithmeforhoursthevariousmethodsadoptedbytheblack-fellowstofindwater；andsheremindedmethatmycourseatfirstwastobeinasoutherlydirectionuntilIcametoaregionwherethetreeswereblazed，andthenIwastofollowthetrackthatledwestward。Shehadelicitedthisinformationformefromtheblackswithremarkableacuteness。
Theselastdaysseemedtopassveryquickly，andonenightthedyingwomanhadaseriousrelapse。Hithertoshehadalwaysaddressedmeas“Master，“butnowthatshestoodintheValleyoftheShadowshewouldthrowherarmsaboutmyneckandwhispersoftly，“Good-bye，MYHUSBAND。Good-bye，Iamgoing——going——going。
Iwillwaitforyou——there。”
FormyselfIcouldnotseemtorealiseit。SometimesIwouldriseupwiththesoleintentionoffindingoutwhetherthisfrightfulthingwasorwasnotaghastlydream。Thenmymemorywouldgobackoverthelongyears，andeverylittleinstanceofunselfishnessanddevotionwouldrisebeforemymind。AsIlookedattheprostrateandattenuatedformthatlaysilentonthecouchofeucalyptusleaves，Ifeltthatlifewasmerelytheacutestagony，andthatI
mustimmediatelyseekoblivioninsomeformortheother，orlosemyreason。Itseemed，Isay，impossiblethatYambacouldceasetobe。Itseemedthecruellestandmostpreposterousthingthatshecouldbetakenfromme。
FranticallyIputmyarmsaroundherandactuallytriedtoliftherontoherfeet，beggingofhertoshowhowrobustshewasasinthedaysofyore。Iwhisperedintoherearsallthememoriesofthepast，andthepoorcreaturewouldendeavourtorespondwithaseriesoffeebleefforts，afterwhichshesankbacksuddenlyandbreathedalastpitifulsigh。
Languageisutterlyfutiletodescribemyhorror——mydistraction。
IfeltasIimaginedamanwouldfeelafteramputationofallhismembers，leavingonlythequiveringandbleedingtrunk。Ifeltthatlifeheldnomorejoy，nomorehope；andgladlywouldIhavewelcomeddeathitselfasahappyreleasefromthewretchednessofliving。InmydeliriumofgriefIoftenbesoughttherepulsivesavagesaboutmetospearmewhereIstood。
UponthissubjectIcandwellnomore，becauseofwhatfollowedI
haveonlythevaguestrecollection。
FordaysIseemedtoliveinakindofdream，andwasnotevensurethatthepeopleImetdaybydaywererealbeings。Astomyawfulloss，IamsureIdidnotrealiseit。WhatIdidrealise，however，wasthenecessityforimmediateaction。Likeadreamtomealsoisthememoryofthesinceregriefofmyblacksandtheirwell-meantendeavourstoconsoleme。Thewomenkeptupamournfulhowl，whichnearlydrovemecrazy，andonlystrengthenedmyresolvetogetawayfromthatfrightfulplace。SodazeddidIbecome，thattheblacksconcludedsomestrangespiritmusthaveenteredintome。
TheyseemedtotakeitforgrantedthatIleftallarrangementsforthefuneraltothem；thesoleideathatpossessedmebeingtocompletemyarrangementsforthegreatjourneyIhadbeforeme。I
toldthenativesfranklyofmyintention，andimmediatelyfortyofthemvolunteeredtoaccompanymeonmytravelsasfarasIchosetopermitthemtocome。Ireadilyacceptedthekindlyoffer，partlybecauseIknewthataloneIshouldhavegonemad；andpartlyalsobecauseIinstinctivelyrealisedthatwithsuchabodyguardIwouldhavenothingtofeareitherfromhumanfoesorthetorturesofthirst。
Ilefteverything。Icutoffmylonghairwithmystilettoanddistributeditamongthenativestobemadeintobracelets，necklaces，andothersouvenirs；andthenIdepartedwithlittleceremonyfromtheplacewhereIhadspentsomanyyearsofweirdandstrangeexile。MostofmybelongingsIgaveaway，andIthinkIturnedmybackuponmymountainhomewithlittleornoregret。
Mydressconsistedsolelyoftheusualcoveringofemuskin；whilstattachedtoabeltroundmywaistweremytomahawkandstiletto。
Mybowandarrowswereslungovermyshoulder。Dayafterdaywemarchedsteadilyon，preciselyasthoughwewereonawalk-about。
Theconditionsofthecountrywereconstantlychanging，andIcameacrossmanyevidencesofitsnaturalrichnessinminerals——moreparticularlygold。
Onedayaswewereallrestingnearthebaseofarock，whichwasakindofhugeoutcropfromtheplain，Ibeganidlytochipthestonewithmytomahawk。Suddenlytheedgeglancedaside，revealingabright，shining，yellowmetal。Isprangtomyfeetinastonishment，andrealisedinamomentthatthisgreatmassofrockwasauriferoustoanenormousdegree，andtherewasonegiganticnugget，spreadouttentacle-wiseinit，whichifremovedwould，I
amsure，beasmuchasacoupleofmencouldcarry。
Weekafterweekpassedby，andstillwecontinuedoursouthwardmarch。Intime，ofcourse，mycompanionsreturnedtotheirowncountry；butsoleisurelyhadourprogressbeenthatIhadampletimethoroughlytoingratiatemyselfwithothertribes，——sothat，asusual，Iwentfromtribetotribepracticallyarmedonlywithmyownknowledgeofthesavagesandmyinvaluablerepertoireoftricks。InthecourseofmonthsIcameupontheblazedormarkedtrees，andthenstruckduewest。
Veryfewincidentsworthrecordingbefellme，andIkeptsteadilyonmywayforeightorninemonths。Atlast——atlast——Icameuponunmistakablesignsoftheproximityof“civilisation“；forstrewnalongthetrackwewerenowfollowingweresuchthingsasrustymeat-tins；oldpapers；discardedandverymuchant-eatenclothing；
tent-pegs；andnumerousotherevidencesofpioneerlife。Oneday，aboutnoon，Iespiedanencampmentoftents500or600yardsaheadofme，andIpromptlybroughtmymentoahaltwhilstIwentforwardalittletoreconnoitre。Curiouslyenough，thesightofthesetentsdidnotcausemeanygreatemotion。Yousee，IhadmetprospectorsbeforeintheKimberleyregion，andbesides，IhadbeenlookingforthesetentssolongfromthetimeIfirstcameacrosstheevidencesofcivilisationaforesaid，thatmyonlysurprisewasIhadnotreachedthembefore。WalkingaboutwereEuropeansintheusualdressoftheAustralianprospector。Suddenlyastrangefeelingofshynessandhesitancycameoverme。AlmoststarknakedanddarkenedasIwas——averitablesavage，infact——IrealisedI
couldnotgoandintroducemyselftothesemenwithoutproperclothing。Iknewthevalueofcautioninapproachingso-calledcivilisedmen，havinghadbitterexperiencewiththeGilesexpedition。Returningtomyblacks，ItoldthemthatatlastIhadcomeupwithmyownpeople，butdidnotwanttojointhemforsomelittletimeyet。ThenIselectedacoupleofmycompanions，andexplainedtothemthatIwantedsomewhiteman”sclothing。
Iinstructedthemtocreepquietlyintothecamp，takeapairoftrousersandshirtthatwerehangingoutsideoneofthetents，andbringbackthesearticlestome。Theyundertookthecommissionwithevidentdelight，butwhentheyreturnedinthecourseofafewminutestheybroughtonlytheshirtwiththem；thetrousers，itseemedhavingbeenremovednodoubtbytheowner，afewminutesbeforetheyarrived。MyblackswereintenselyamusedwhenIdonnedtheshirt；andconsideringthatthiswaspracticallytheonlyarticleofwearingapparelIpossessed，IhavenodoubtIdidcutaveryludicrousfigure。Thencameanotherdifficulty。IreflectedIcouldnotpossiblygoandshowmyselfamongthesewhitemenwearingoneoftheirownshirts。FinallyIdecidedtobidfarewellthenandtheretomyescort，andcontinuemymarchaloneuntilI
reachedanotherencampment。
InthecourseofanotherdayorsoIreachedasecondcamp。IntothisIdecidedtoventureandexplainwhoIwas。Beforetakingthisstep，however，Irubbedoffalltheclayeycoatingonmyskin，trimmedmyhairandbeardtoarespectablelengthbymeansofafirestick，andthrewawaymybow，whichwasnowmyonlyremainingweapon；thenImarchedboldlyintothecamp。SomefiveorsixbronzedprospectorswereseatedatsupperroundthefireinfrontofthetentasIapproached；andwhentheycaughtsightofmetheystared，astoundedforthemoment，andthenburstintolaughter，undertheimpressionthatIwasoneoftheirownblackservantsplayingsomejokeuponthem。WhenIwasbutafewyardsaway，however，IcalledoutinEnglish-
“Halloa，boys！haveyouroomforme？“
Theyweretoomuchtakenabacktoreplyimmediately，andthenoneofthemsaid-
“Ohyes；comeandsitdown。”
AsIseatedmyselfamongthemtheyasked-
“Haveyoubeenoutprospecting？“
“Yes，“Isaidquietly，“andIhavebeenawayaverylongtime。”
“Andwheredidyouleaveyourmates？“wasthenextquestion。
“Ihadnomates，“Itoldthem。“Iundertookmywanderingspracticallyalone。”
Theylookedatoneanother，winked，andsmiledincredulouslyatthis。ThenoneofthemaskedmeifIhadfoundanygold。
Isaid，“Ohyes，plentyofgold，“andthenthenextquery——amostnaturalone——was，“Well，whyhaveyounotbroughtsomeofthestuffbackwithyou？Howfarhaveyoutravelled？“
ItoldthemIhadbeentrampingthroughtheheartoftheContinentforeightorninemonths，andthatIhadnomeansofcarryingnuggetsandquartzaboutwithme。Butthisexplanationonlyservedtorenewtheirmerriment，whichreacheditsclimaxwhen，inanunguardedmoment，IputaquestionwhichIhadbeenburningtoask-
“Whatyearisthis？“
“ThisisBellamy”s”LookingBackward”withavengeance，“criedoneoftheprospectors——asallythatwasheartilyappreciatedbythewholeofthecompany，withtheexceptionofmyself。Ibegantothinkthatifthiswasthereceptioncivilisationhadforme，itwerebetterformetohaveremainedamongmyfaithfulsavages。
Butinafewminutesthemen”sdemeanourchanged，anditwasobviousthattheylookeduponmeasaharmlesslunaticjustemergedfromthebush。IwasassuredthatthisconclusionwascorrectwhenIsawthediggerslookingatoneanothersignificantlyandtappingtheirforeheads。Iresolvedtotellthemnothingfurtheraboutmyself，wellknowingthatthemoreItoldthemthemoreconvincedtheywouldbethatIwasawanderinglunatic。IlearnedthatthesemenwereapartyofdecentyoungfellowsfromCoolgardie。Theyofferedmeamealofteaanddamper，andpressedmetostaythenightwiththem，butIdeclinedtheirhospitality。Igratefullyacceptedapairoftrousers，butdeclinedtheofferofapairofboots，feelingcertainthatIcouldnotyetbeartheseonmyfeet。
MyroughbenefactorstoldmethatIshouldfindmanyothercampstothesouthandwest；soIwanderedoffintothebushagainandspentthenightalone。
MynextmovewasinthedirectionofMountMargaret；andalongtheroadwhichItraversedIcameacrossaninterestingvarietyofpicks，shovels，andotherminingtools，whichhadevidentlybeendiscardedbydisappointedprospectors。Idecidednottoenterthistownbuttogoroundit；thenIcontinuedmytrampalonetowardsCoolgardieandthencetoSouthernCross。
Afterworkingforsometimeinthelast-namedtown(myimpressionsof“civilisation“wouldmakeanotherwholebook)，ImademywaytoPerth，thecapitalofWesternAustralia。InPerthIwasadvisedthatitwouldbebetterformetogotoMelbourne，asIwouldstandamuchbetterchancethereofgettingashiponwhichImightworkmypassagetoEurope。AccordinglyIproceededtoMelbourneassoonasIcould，andtheonlynoteworthyincidenttherewasmyhumorousinterviewwiththeFrenchConsul。IaddressedthatdignifiedfunctionaryinexecrableFrench，tellinghimthatIwasaFrenchsubjectandwantedtobesentbacktoEurope。Ibungledagreatdeal，andwhenmyFrenchfailedIhelpedmyselfoutwithEnglish。
TheConsulwaitedpatientlytillIhadfinished，strokinghisbeardthewhile，andlookingatmeinthemostsuspiciousmanner。
“YouclaimthisbecauseyouareaFrenchman？“hesaid。
“Thatisso，“Ireplied，involuntarilyrelapsingintoEnglishoncemore。
“Well，“hesaidcoldly，asheturnedaway，“thenexttimeyousayyouareaFrenchmanyouhadbetternotuseanyEnglishatall，becauseyouspeakthatlanguagebetterthanIdo。”
Itriedtoarguethepointwithhim，andtoldhimIhadbeenshipwrecked，butwhenIwentontoexplainhowlongagothatshipwreckwas，hesmiledinspiteofhimself，andIcameaway。
FromMelbourneIwenttoSydney，andfromSydneytoBrisbane。
AboutMay1897，IfoundmyselfinWellington，NewZealand，whereI
wasadvisedIstoodanexcellentchanceofgettingashiptotakemetoEngland。IsailedintheNewZealandShippingCompany”sWaikato，andlandedinLondoninMarch1898。
End
