250 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



with a horse to carry the portmanteau. This offer was thankfully 

 accepted. 



After proceeding a few miles they came upon a little encampment 

 of natives, crouching around fires in front of their huts, which were 

 as rude as possible, made of a few pieces of bark laid against a stump 

 and covered with bushes ; they barely sufficed as a screen to keep off 

 the wind. One of the women was quite good-looking, with large 

 black eyes, white teeth, and small features. She was better dressed, 

 too, than any of the others, and the pretty half-caste child that was 

 clinging to her skirts, made it sufficiently evident in what manner her 

 finery had been obtained. As a part of the lake was said to be 

 fordable, it was determined to take advantage of it, in order to shorten 

 the route. One mounted the horse to pass over. Whilst they were 

 proceeding quietly along, the horse suddenly reared and plunged, 

 relieving himself of his rider and load, which were thrown into water 

 two feet deep, without any further injury than a good ducking, and the 

 disparagement of the wardrobe. It was found that the horse had 

 trodden upon a stingray, which fully accounted for his sudden gambols. 

 It was sunset when they arrived at Mr. Threlkeld's station, which at 

 first sight appeared like a comfortable farm-house, such as is often seen 

 in our western country. Mr. Threlkeld was found busy attending to 

 his cattle, and gave them a warm and friendly reception, which made 

 them at once feel at home. 



As Mr. Threlkeld has occupied a conspicuous place in this colony, 

 it may be well to give a short sketch of his labours in the missionary 

 field, in order to show the progress he has made, and the difficulties 

 he has had to contend with. I do this more readily from the feeling 

 that great injustice has been done him, and that he has suffered much 

 contumely and persecution from those who were too prone to listen to 

 the scandalous reports of interested individuals. 



Mr. Threlkeld left England in 1814, as a missionary to the Society 

 Islands; he resided with Mr. Williams, at Raiatea, until 1824, when 

 the death of his wife determined him to pay a visit to England. About 

 this time the inspectors of missionaries, Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, 

 arrived at the islands, and he took passage with them to Sydney. On 

 their arrival at Sydney, these gentlemen, supposing that a favourable 

 opportunity offered to establish a mission among the Australian 

 aborigines, requested him to take charge of it, which he consented to 

 do. Moreton Bay was at first proposed as the location, but it was 

 afterwards changed to Lake Macquarie, the latter place being a 

 favourite resort of the natives. Ten thousand acres were granted by 

 government to the Missionary Society, in trust for the natives. The 



