310 IXTERCOURSE WITH CAPE YORK NATIVES. 



Evans Baj-. The natives, of whom there were 

 usually a number encamped in the neighbour- 

 hood, attracted by the presence of the ship, as atiI- 

 tures by a carcass, continued on perfectly friendly 

 terms, assisted the wooding- and watering parties, 

 brought off fish and portions of turtle to the ship, 

 and accompanied us on our walks on shore. The 

 usual remuneration for their services was biscuit, 

 and, next to that, tobacco, besides which axes and 

 knives were highly piized and occasionally given 

 them. Immediately on landing for the purpose of 

 an excm^ion, each of us looked out for his hotaiga* 

 from among a crowd of appHcants surrounding the 

 boat, the haversack was thro^"n across his shoulders, 

 and away we started for the bush. It was often, 

 difficult for the possessor of a g-ood stock of biscuit to 

 shake off other useless volunteers; these hangers-on, 

 with few exceptions, were more remarkable for their 

 capacity for food than for their powers of endurance, 

 shewing a deeply rooted antipathy to any exertion 

 not actually necessary, and for every trifling addi- 

 tion^ service asking for bisiker muro, choia muro, 

 neipa, or some such thing. Still a few of these 

 same blacks make a verj- agreeable addition to a 

 shooting party, as besides their services as guides, 

 and in pointing out game, they formed amusing 

 companions and enlivened many a noonday bivouac 



* Derived from the Kowrarega word Kutaig (younger brother); 

 here in the jai-gon used between us it signified friend, associate, 

 companion, &c. 



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