236 THE PORT DARWIN DISTRICT 



therefore rode back to the wood where I had left the rest 

 of my little expedition under the charge of Anderson, my 

 white follower, and, after thinking the situation over, I 

 came to the conclusion that I could not continue the 

 journey — at least on the intended plan. I consequently 

 hurried back into the territory of the friendly natives met 

 with two days previously, keeping a sharp look-out for 

 the hostile blacks, whose success in killing and robbing the 

 two Chinamen would doubtless whet their courage to the 

 attempting of more daring enterprises. We, however, 

 saw no men throughout the day, and on the 24th reached 

 territory in which I felt quite safe, knowing that the 

 natives, except when at war, never encroach on each 

 others' hunting-grounds. 



We could not find our friendly natives, and when I 

 had disposed of my following in a safe and advantageous 

 position, I determined to leave it in charge of Anderson, 

 while I took a number of long, solitary rides in the 

 neighbouring country. This I thought I could safely do, 

 as I had a fairly good mount, and could therefore keep 

 out of the way of any hostile blacks I might chance to 

 meet. The only risks I had to face were surprises by 

 night and the natural perils of a difficult country, but 

 these I feared not to encounter. 



I took with me as much food and ammunition as I 

 could conveniently carry, and having given my final 

 instructions to Anderson, started on the first riding ramble 

 on the 26th. That proved a very wet day, which, I 

 thought, was in one particular in my favour, as the 

 natives generally seek shelter in such weather, and are 

 not on the prowl for game or nobler victims. 



I had to camp early myself, passing the night, as is 

 usual in such cases, in a hollow-tree on a hill over a 

 hundred feet high. The horse, hobbled and picketed 

 outside, was very restless all night ; and fearing that his 

 nervousness arose from the presence of prowling blacks, 

 I did not sleep, but sat with my gun in my hand ready 

 for instant defence. When daylight returned I was not 

 a little startled to perceive that the whole country as far 



