40 EXPLORATION OF THE MURCHISON, LYONS, AND [Nov. 8, 1858. 



to have returned from their day's hunting, but we observed upwards 

 of 30 women and children, who ran into the bed of the river to hide, 

 some of the women immersing their children completely under 

 water occasionally to prevent their cry of alarm attracting our atten- 

 tion. Although we had before met with and spoken to several 

 natives, this was the first opportunity we had of examining into 

 their domestic economy. Around their fires, of which there were 

 many, were ranged a number of wooden scoops capable of holding 

 from 2 to 4 quarts ; these contained a variety of seeds and roots ; the 

 most plentiful was a species of grain like small plump drake gathered 

 from a grass much resembling wheat, which is very abundant on the 

 alluvial flats, and a root resembling an onion, not larger than a 

 pistol bullet, a few rats, which are very numerous in the grassy flats, 

 and a small variety of samphire like a Hottentot fig, formed the 

 principal portion of their evening repast. 



The few weapons left by the men consisted of heavy spears, with 

 from 3 to 18 barbs cut out of the solid wood, the shaft from 10 to 12 

 feet in length ; large shields resembling those in use by the natives 

 at Champion Bay, made from the sycamore, and a few skins of the 

 red kangaroo, formed their entire camp equipment. 

 , Leaving everything as we found it, we passed on about 2 miles 

 and encamped for the night on a low sandy island in the bed of the 

 river, which was here full of flooded gums of large growth, there 

 being just sufficient grass for our horses immediately around our fire. 

 By 9 o'clock our supper had been disposed of, and I had just com- 

 pleted my observations for latitude, when we heard the shouts of a 

 large party of natives approaching from the direction of their camp ; 

 leaving Mr. Eoe with two others to guard the camp, I advanced with 

 Mr. Moore and Dugel to ascertain the object of their visit, which we 

 soon found to be evidently hostile, as they came on rapidly all well 

 armed to the number of 60 or 70, the women and children retiring 

 to some rocky ground, while the men advanced lighting the large 

 stacks of drift which were abundant in this part of the river. When 

 within about 40 yards they halted a moment, as we had damped our 

 fire, and they could not exactly make out our position. Mr. Moore 

 was in the act of removing his horse from the front when a fresh fire 

 enabled them to see us, upon which ten or twelve of the leading 

 men shipped their spears. Being still desirous if possible of avoid- 

 ing a collision I hesitated to fire upon them, but observing a large 

 body of them advancing with the evident intention of attacking Mr. 

 Eoe and his little party in charge of the camp, I advanced a few 

 steps and fired a charge of small shot at the leading men as they 

 were in the act of throwing at us : the effect was instantaneous and 



