MUSSAAD AND THE NEAM NEAM. 
209 
people across the water in the canoes to proceed to the Rhol^ the 
porters to return from thence as speedily as possible for us. Small 
supplies of grain from Neot^ and more promised. 
September \0th , — The canoes having returned^ sent Medineh and 
a small reinforcement to join the force en route to the Ehol. I am 
anxious to keep this place as quiet as possible during my wife^s 
illness. 
September Wth . — At sunrise heard four musket-shots from the 
other side of the lagoon^ a preconcerted signal to announce the 
departure of our men from that place to the Khol. Wife a little 
better,, but very weak. In the evening Mussaad,, sitting with me 
amidst the smoke from a smouldering wood fire to keep off the 
myriads of mosquitoes,, related some of his adventures amongst the 
Neam Neam^ whom he had visited from time to time. Although 
they invariably turned out,, showing fight^ Mussaad^ with courage 
and tact,, laid down his firearms,, and with an interpreter advanced 
to them. With one exception only^ he secured to himself and fol- 
lowers amicable receptions^ the prelude being the chief and himself 
sucking from the arm of each other bloody which flowed from a 
small puncture made by a lance; lasting friendship was thus sworn. 
Mussaad said that on one occasion he advanced as usual towards 
a community of Neam Neams whom he had not before seen; these 
greeted him with a flight of arrows. His men,, losing patience,, 
fired^ when scores of the Neam Neams fell^ but happily from fright^ 
one or two only being wounded. The astonished aborigines fled,, 
leaving upwards of fifty on the ground; these were taken prisoners. 
Mussaad with his interpreter followed the Neam Neams to a village 
some ten minutes^ walk distant. Peace was made, merrissa freely 
14 
