LOPE DE VEGA. 53 



near it of a man. Both are within a few yards of my 

 front door, and in all probability will soon be reduced 

 to spa wis. Some of the rocks near have a thin coating of 

 earth, lichens and scrub that should be cleaued up and any 

 markings preserved. 



If we say the work was done by the aborigines of 

 Australia, we have to assume they had a knowledge of 

 metallurgy sufficient to make a gad or point tool of bronze, 

 copper or iron which was struck with a maul or hammer ; 

 a knowledge of perspective, as shown in the kangaroo's 

 left paw and ear, and also a knowledge of sabots and a 

 pointed covering to both knees as shown in the man. There 

 is also a large ruff or collar and a mark or scar in the middle 

 of the forehead. The left hand is cut in the same con- 

 ventional manner as that of the tortoise shell figure from 

 Darnley Island. The man is short and sturdy, and we must 

 find a reason for industry with no apparent object. If we 

 say an escaped convict made these carvings in their exposed 

 position for mere amusement and to betray his whereabouts 

 to the gaolers, we state an absurdity. If an assigned servant 

 made them at the bidding of his master, we want a reason 

 for the order. The occupations of the free colonists and 

 the soldiery were of such a character that they need not 

 be suspected of delineating the figures. 



I cannot see any better reason for the existence of these 

 markings than to say that they were made by Peruvian 

 slaves at the command of their Spanish masters. The search 

 for gold brought the Spaniards west from America. The 

 Spaniards did not quarry rocks and wash sand themselves 

 in Peru. They brought slaves to work the ship, and dig 

 for treasure as they had long been accustomed to do in the 

 Andes with copper picks, gads and mauls. 



Let me draw a word picture of the scene as it appears to 

 me : — Lope de Vega's ship comes booming down the coast 



