CII. in.] MEET A TRIBE OP NATIVES. 63 



Jan. '3. — A fine serene morning, altlioiigh the eastern 

 mountains still echoed under clouds of thunder. We left the 

 Lobster Pond at six, and continued our route in the 

 direction of 35° west of north, for the first twelve miles. 

 Having- reached, at length, the northern limits of the plain, 

 we encountered, after passing through some slight woods of 

 acacia pendula and eucalyptus, a thick brush, through which 

 we were obliged to open a way with axes for a mile and a 

 half. While engaged in this work, one of the men said he 

 heard voices. On gaining once more the opener forest, we 

 saw two newly felled trees, which had been cut with an iron 

 axe or tomahawk ; and immediately after, we perceived 

 the natives at a little distance. They were hurrying off, but 

 being most anxious to conciliate them, and gain if possible 

 some information respecting the country, I sent Dawkins, who 

 was an eager volunteer on the occasion, forward to them, and 

 he prevailed on several to stop and speak to him, while their 

 women and children decamped. When they seemed no 

 longer disposed to run, I ventured forward ; but those who 

 had got round Dawkins, on seeing me approach, made off, 

 one by one, until none remained when I rode up to Daw- 

 kins, except a young man. Not a word was understood on 

 either side, yet our new acquaintance talked fluently, and 

 also repeated what we said to him. He carried no spear or 

 weapon, with the exception of three little sticks, which he 

 held in the left hand; neither did he wear any dress or 

 ornament, nor was his skin much scarified. His features 

 were not bad, and they wore an expression of extreme good 

 nature. We now regretted more than ever the absence of 

 " Mr. Brown," as with his assistance we might now have 

 learnt so much I'especting the rivers and the country before 

 us. The tribe appeared to consist of about thirty individuals; 

 those who remained, at a distance, carried spears, and were 

 evidently much afraid of us. The string of low slang words, 

 which the natives nearer the colony suppose to be our lan- 

 guage, while our stockmen believe they speak theirs, was of 



