CH. VII.] CONDITION OF THE FEMALES. 307 



man can witness the quickness and intelligence of the abori- 

 gines, as displayed in their instant comprehension of our 

 numerous appliances, without feelings of sympathy. He 

 must perceive, that these people cannot be so obtuse as not 

 to anticipate in the advance of such a powerful race, the extir- 

 pation of their own, in a country which barely affords to 

 them the means of existence. Such must be the conclusion 

 in their minds, although it is to be hoped, that the results 

 of our invasion may be different ; and, that if these savage 

 people do not learn habits of industry, a breed of wild cattle 

 may at least compensate them, for the loss of the kangaroo 

 and opossum. 



The population of the Darling seemed to have been much 

 reduced by small-pox, or some cutaneous disease, which must 

 have been very virulent, considering their dirty mode of living; 

 and its violence was indeed apparent in the marks on those 

 who survived. 



Considering the industry and skill of their gins or wives, 

 in making nets, sewing cloaks, muscle fishing, rooting, &c. ; 

 and their patient submission to labour, always carrying the 

 bags which contain the whole property of the family, the 

 great value of a gin to one of these lazy fellows, may be easily 

 imagined. Accordingly the possession of them appears to be 

 associated with all their ideas of fighting ; while, on the other 

 hand, the gins have it in their power on such occasions, to 

 evince that universal characteristic of the fair, a partiality 

 for the brave. Thus it is, that after a battle, they do not 

 always follow their fugitive husbands from the field, but fre- 

 quently go over, as a matter of course, to the victors, even 

 with young children on their backs; and thus it was, probably, 

 after we had made the lower tribes sensible of our superiority, 

 that the three gins followed our party, beseeching us to take 

 them with us. 



Depending chiefly on the river for subsistence, they do not 

 wander so much as those who hunt the kangaroo and opossum, 

 in the higher country, near our colony. Hence the more per- 



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