FROM THE PASCOE RIVER TO TEMPLE BAY 569 



we saw numerous HOOP PINES. Then we crossed the mouths of 

 two creeks of the fourth magnitude, and reached a bald red cliff 

 of sandstone. This we ascended, and saw the " Remarkable Red 

 Cliff" (of the chart) still about a mile and a half ahead, but quite 

 accessible. We made a SMOKE on the headland to apprise the master 

 of the lightship that we were in the neighbourhood. We returned 

 to the camp at nightfall and found Macdonald again ill with fever. 



February 17. MACDONALD was still VERY ILL. We left Camp 

 41 and travelled north by the route described under yesterday's 

 date. Just as we arrived at the point where we had turned 

 back yesterday, the prospectors, who were about half a mile ahead, 

 saw and gave chase to some " niggers." When I got up I found 

 that they had rounded up TWO GINS and some CHILDREN. The 

 gins had wavy, but not curly, hair. They dropped a three- 

 pronged FISHING-SPEAR barbed with SAIL NEEDLES, and a FIGHTING- 

 OR HUNTING-SPEAR with a bone barb. 



In a mile and a half more we reached the " REMARKABLE RED 

 CLIFF " (of the chart) and camped above it on a bald rise, having 

 a patch of SCRUB on the edge of the cliff and more scrub behind. 

 (CAMP 42.) Firewood and water had to be carried a long way, but 

 we wished to camp where our tents would be visible from the ship 

 when lighted up by the morning sun. 



Four or five BLACKS made their appearance after we had camped, 

 and held up something white in their hands ; but they vanished on 

 seeing Hume pick up his rifle. 



It appears that the men on the ship saw our tents as soon 

 as they were pitched, but, of course, we did not know this. When 

 night fell we made a big fire on the top of the cliff. In less than an 

 hour we were answered by a ROCKET from the lightship. 



February 18. This was a warm day with a few thunder-showers. 

 At daybreak we saw a boat making for us. The MASTER OF THE 

 LIGHTSHIP (Mr. Tyrell) and two men reached the bay below our 

 camp at half-past seven. As only one man was left in the ship 

 they could only stay till half -past ten. They brought us twelve 

 pounds of tinned BEEF and a pile of NEWSPAPERS and some LETTERS 

 all very acceptable. They had never been ashore, it appeared. 

 They informed us that the BLACKS had recently SPEARED A MAN in his 

 ship in the bay. I sent off a short " PRELIMINARY REPORT " to you. 



In the afternoon seven BLACKS came up and parleyed outside 

 the camp. Two acted as spokesmen, while the rest stayed behind. 

 They spoke English at least as well as the average Cleveland Bay 

 blacks. They had wavy, but not curly, hair. They brought 

 a bit of turtle-shell and silver bream. Charlie gave them a bit of 

 his tobacco, with the use of which they seemed familiar. They 

 offered to exchange fish for tobacco, and we gladly accepted the 

 offer, but warned them to come without their spears and only two 

 at a time. They spoke of being familiar with beche de mer fishers. 



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