OF VAN DIEMEN's LAND. 161 



set about his task, which he soon completed, and there 

 the affair ended. 



It is curious that the aborigines, on occasions of this 

 sort mentioned above, do not generally show a disposi- 

 tion to retaliate on the person who thus wreaks his 

 vengeance upon them ; they rather endeavour to get out 

 of his way. 



Another quarrel fell out thus : — A married woman 

 had selected a certain tree, according to their practice 

 when in the bush, which tree, in such case, is considered 

 the representative of the person who makes choice of it, 

 and is regarded as their inviolable property, at all times 

 to be held sacred. Through some accident this tree, 

 which had been selected by Iioomtyenna, was pulled 

 down or mutilated by a party of her countrymen, which 

 she so violently resented that, snatching up a firebrand, 

 she ran in amongst them and dealt her blows very freely 

 around. Her husband, who was of the party, at length 

 struck her on the head with his waddy, and drew blood. 

 When he saw that she bled, he was apparently as dis- 

 concerted as she was, and would have gladly made it up ; 

 but the lady was not so easily appeased, and it was some 

 time before Trygoomy-poonauh could regain his wife's 

 smiles. 



On a visit to the site of the intended new settlement, 

 at a place named by the sealers Pea-jacket Point, we 

 were accompanied by the Commandant, four native men, 

 and two of their wives. The history of the attachment 

 that led to the union of one of these couples is somewhat 

 romantic. Panneh-rooneh had long felt an affection for 

 Pellouny-myna, but no persuasions of his could induce 

 her to become his wife. One day they were crossing a 

 river along with many more of their countrymen, when 

 Pellouny-myna was suddenly seized Avith an attack of 

 illness and became unable to support herself. The faith- 

 ful lover was at her side. Seizing her in his arms he 

 bore her to a place of safety, and during her illness, 

 which was tedious, he nursed her with the greatest atten- 

 tion and most affectionate assiduity. She at length 

 recovered, when, overcome with gratitude, she declared 

 that none but Panneh-rooneh should be her husband ; 

 and from that time they have become united by the most 

 inviolable attachment. 



On our return the day was very wet and boisterous. 



