204 • KANGAROOS NUMEROUS. [CH. IV. 



which piece of civility I gave him a tomahawk Late at 

 night, when I was ahout to go to sleep, he came £ .dy up to 

 my tent, demanding something in a whisper. I shewed him 

 my rifle, and gave the man on watch strict orders to look 

 sharp. This savage was, twice afterwards, caught about the 

 carts during the night, and in the morning, he was seen 

 pointing out to other natives the cart on which the flour was 

 placed. I never saw a worse countenance on any native ; 

 and I was deprived even of the slight comfort of a doubt as 

 to poor Cunningham's fate, on looking at it. 



May 11 . — The king, who had most kindly accompanied us 

 on every day's journey from Cudduldury,carefully pointing out 

 the open parts of the country, and the water-holes, on which 

 to encamp, this morning took leave of us, having previously 

 been at some pains, to introduce us to the Bungan tribe. 

 These last natives did not, however, so well understand our 

 wants ; and I was then rather inclined to be rid of them, and 

 push on at a faster rate than they would allow me. I, 

 therefore, refused to halt, as they wished, at Condiirgo, and 

 proceeded. Our new acquaintance followed, until the dogs 

 started after some kangaroos, and having been long absent, I 

 sent in search of them, when some of the natives were caught 

 carrying off" a kangaroo, which the dogs had killed, and 

 others were decoying our animals away with them. On the 

 kangaroo being brought to me, I gave it to the tribe, in hopes 

 that they would remain to eat it, and thus leave us, to pursue 

 our journey. 



Tliey followed us, however, carrying the kangaroo, until 

 they came to a bend of the Bogan, Avhere they suddenly dis- 

 ajtpeared. We finally encamped on an open plain, with 

 toleiiible pasture, and near a water-hole in the river bed. 



The evening was cloudy, for the first time since I had been 

 witli the i)arty, from the commencement of the expedition ; 

 and a smart shower fell during the night. 



May VI. — We set off early, travelling over rather open 

 ground, so that we were able to pursue the river course 



