THE LAST OF THE TASMANIANS. 479 



number, were subsequently removed to Oyster Cove, a locality on 

 the mainland, about lifteeii miles south of liobart on the shore 

 of D'Entrecasteaux's Channel. The change did not prove bene- 

 ficial, and the abnormal mortality continued to the end. Thou,i,di 

 the numbers of the natives declined thus ra])idly under artificial 

 environments, it is most probable the same decrease would have 

 taken place had they remained at large, subject as they would 

 have been to constant molestation of all kinds by the whites. 



To induce these children of the forest by persuasion alone to 

 submit to Government, was a task which I'equired both tact and 

 courage. It was successfully accomplished by Mr. Robinson, wiio 

 fortunately secured the entire coiTtidence of- the various tribes, 

 and by his knowledge of their language, was able to convince 

 them that their struggle against the whites was hopeless, pointing 

 out at the same time the great benefits they would obtain by prompt 

 submission to government. When engaged in this beneficial task 

 in some of the southern districts, Mr. Robinson was much assisted 

 by Truganini (PL XXXII.) who, as the daughter of a chief of a 

 southern tribe — that of Bruny Island — was able to induce many 

 of her friends to listen favourably to his proposals. For this action 

 she subsequently gained much ill will from some of the natives 

 who ubraided her for her conduct, and distressed her by prophesy- 

 ing she would live to be the last of her I'ace. She continued 

 however to be firmly attached to the whites, and on one special 

 occasion was undoubtedly the means of preventing a cruel 

 murder. During a raid by the natives she made her way to a 

 solitary hut occupied by a lady and child with whom she was 

 acquainted, and whom she guided to a hiding place in the bush, 

 securing their eventual escape by returning to her friends and 

 directing their attention to another quarter. All this was done 

 with the knowledge that had her action been discovered her life 

 would have been forfeited. She was married tour times, without 

 issue, her last husband being " King Billy," a character well 

 known in Tasmania. On his death, at Holjart, proceedings were 

 taken to secure his skeleton for the Museum, but this was frus- 

 trated by the abstraction of the head, under peculiar circum- 

 stances, from tlie person in charge of the body. The skull was 

 subsequently forwarded, as that of a pure Tasmanian Aboriginal 

 to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, an 

 unfortunate presentation, as it was afterwards discovered tliat 

 King Billy was not thoroughbred, having the blood of a New South 

 Wales Aborgine in his veins. I only refer to this matter at 

 present, because not only was the scandal attached to the removal 

 of the head a source of great trouble to Truganini, but the episode 

 was thought worthy of a themo for his muse in a humerous poem 

 by Australia's greatest poet, Brunton Stephens. (See his ' Con- 

 vict Once,' and other poems). 



Truganini's idea of religion, like those of lier race, was dim 

 and misty. She believed in a great Spirit Rowra, to whom she 



