128 THE PASTORAL AGE IN AUSTRALASIA 



have for ninety years been employed in a similar manner. 

 In the early days, whenever (as was constantly happen- 

 ing) convicts tried to escape, they were instantly fol- 

 lowed into the bush by the black tracker, who had a 

 wonderful facility in tracking them, and, being armed, 

 seldom failed to bring them back, dead or ahve. 



The too-famous Black Police has been the theme of 

 both history and fiction. It naturally arose from the 

 employment of the blacks as trackers — first of cattle, 

 and next of robbers and murderers. It was the almost 

 necessary counterpart of the earlier white mounted 

 police raised by Governor Brisbane in 1825. That 

 consisted of picked British troops, and it is described 

 as having been valuable and efficient. For five and 

 twenty years it did much to ensure the safety of the 

 settlers and guard their stock. Some writers have 

 deplored its disbandment in 1850, but though it might 

 doubtless have been effective in hindering the rise or 

 the spread of bushranging, it had accomplished its 

 primary task. By 1850 the blacks of New South Wales, 

 at least, had ceased to be formidable. 



The Black Police was first formed in Victoria in 

 February, 1842, and the men were induced to join the 

 force through the influence of a leading chief. So, at 

 all events, states Mr. Thomas, a Protector of the Abori- 

 gines.* Another account affirms, doubtless of another 

 district, that the brothers, Pulteney Dana, were its 

 organizers and chiefs. The first-mentioned were re- 

 cruited from the Yarra tribe ; the second from beyond 

 the Murray and in Gippsland. The blacks composing 

 the force were selected for their physique and intelli- 

 gence, and they were well disciplined. The troopers, 

 with their white commanding officer, rode up in uniform, 

 on serviceable, well-conditioned horses, with their 

 carbines slung, their swords dangling and jingling. 

 They had a smart, serviceable look. 



Their way of setting to work has been described by 



* Letters from Victorian Pioneers, pp. 70 ff. Boldrewood, 

 Old Melbourne Memories. 



