CH. VI.] THE FISHING TRIBE. 265 



other hand, the natives were likely to become formidable ' 

 for the tribes increased in numbers while we were taking up 

 our ground. They advanced towards us without ceremony, 

 led on by the old man and the tall athletic savage, we had 

 seen before, and who had both been noticed as the most per- 

 severing thieves of all. These two men had hung about our 

 party several days, and their intention of assembling the 

 tribes around us, for the worst of purposes, was no longer to 

 be doubted. I felt no occasion to be ceremonious with them, 

 for I had frequently given them to understand, that we did 

 not wish their company. I immediately took several men 

 forward with muskets to keep the tribes off while our party 

 Avere encamping, but to no purpose. The natives carried 

 a quantity of large fishes, and introduced me particularly to 

 a very good humoured looking black, who seemed to be chief 

 of the new tribe, and who took some pains to explain to me, 

 that the spears they carried were only for killing fishes or 

 kangaroos, (boondari.) This chief appeared to have great 

 authority, although not old. He wore tightly round his 

 left arm, between the shoulder and the elbow, a bracelet of 

 corded hair. This distinction, if such it was, I also noticed 

 in one of the old men.* The afternoon was a most harassing 

 time, from the repeated attempts to pilfer the carts and tents. 

 The old man, whose cunning and dexterity in this way, 

 were wonderful, had nearly carried off the leathern socket for 

 the tent-poles ; another extracted the iron bow of a bullock- 

 yoke. The most striking instance, however, of their pro- 

 pensity for clutching, occurred, when Burnett, by my order, 

 shot a crow, in hopes that its sudden death might scare them; 

 but instead of any terror being exhibited at the report or 

 effect of the gun, the bird had not reached the ground, when 

 the chief was at the top of his speed to seize it ! 



* Of the bracelet, as worn among the orientals, Harmer says, " This I take 

 to have been an ensign of royalty ; and in that view, I suppose, we are to iiii- 

 derstand the account that is given us, of the Amalekite's bringing the bracelet 

 that he found on Saul's arm, along with his crown, to David, 2 Sam. i. 10.'' — 

 Vol. II. page 438. 



