265 



THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



is, kindness to children, and which is specially ob- 

 servable at the time meals are being taken. If a 

 "tiny mite" approaches on such occasions, and 

 asks for a morsel, it is certain to receive it ; even 

 Cookey himself, whom I believe to be the greediest 

 specimen of humanity I ever came across, would not 

 hesitate for a moment, on such a demand being made, 

 to part with a portion of his food. Before dark the 

 males of the population returned. They were a well- 

 grown, healthy lot of men as could be desired a 

 good proof that they possessed plenty of food ; but 

 this necessary of life must have been animal, for they 

 refused to sell us any mealies (Indian corn), of which 

 we commenced to run short, as our horses consumed 

 about three buckets daily. At first I imagined that 

 the natives were deceiving me, but after a time I was 

 satisfied that they told the truth, for the captain, id 

 est, head man, without pressing, stated that they ex- 

 pected some bullock loads of grain to arrive shortly. 



