216 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



His immediate neighbours were in many cases involved in conflict 

 with them, and had more than once called in the aid of the native 

 police to hunt them down in their rocky fastnesses about the 

 Bumeralla River and Mount Eeles. But by a course of treatment 

 combining kindness with justice and firmness, and influenced above 

 all by a sincere humanitarian interest, Mr. Dawson had secured 

 their continuous friendship, and during the long period of his 

 residence in the district he never suffered by any act of aggression 

 at their hands. To a large extent this result may be taken as 

 typical, and throws some light on the very diverse opinions ex- 

 pressed by the early colonists as to the native character. 



Despite the praiseworthy efforts of Mr. George Gordon McCrae 

 and some other Australian poets to preserve in stirring verse the 

 Arcadian legends of the days 



When wild in woods the noble savage ran, 



there is little that is romantic, and nothing that is inspiring, in the 

 vague traditions of aboriginal prowess and heroism that have come 

 down to us. The early annals of Victoria embrace no pictures of 

 campaigns formally entered upon against the dark-skinned occupant 

 of the soil, which was being so rapidly appropriated by the in- 

 vading settler. 



The wars which our American cousins waged for two hundred 

 years against the brave and crafty redskins ; the long struggles in 

 Canada against the confederated six nations ; the storming by 

 British troops of native Pahs in New Zealand ; the protracted wars, 

 so costly in blood and treasure, involved in the subjugation of the 

 Kaffirs and Zulus in South Africa ; nay, even the more circum- 

 scribed, but still bloody " Black War " in Tasmania, had no counter- 

 part in the settlement of the colony of Victoria. The reason is not 

 far to seek, and it does not necessarily imply any want of courage 

 on the part of the invaded. They were comparatively few in 

 number, and they were dispersed in small tribes over a large area 

 of country. By their habits, their superstitions and their traditions 

 they were so involved in strife amongst themselves, that there was 

 no possible basis of federation to resist the invader. 



There is naturally much difficulty in arriving at an accurate 



