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NATIVE WOMEN. 
the fruit is rich, juicy, and sweet, of about the size 
of a gooseberry. In hot weather it is most grateful 
and refreshing. I had often tasted this fruit before, 
but never until now liked it ; in fact, I never in any 
other part of Australia, saw it growing in such 
abundance, or in so great perfection, as along the 
western coast. During our stay in camp a native 
had been sent out to call some of the other natives, 
and towards evening a good many came up, and 
were all regularly introduced to us by ‘ Wilguldy’ 
and the others, who had been with us so long ; I gave 
them a feast of rice which they appeared to enjoy 
greatly. Our more immediate friends and guides 
had learnt to drink tea, and eat meat and damper, 
with which we supplied them liberally, in return 
for the valuable services they rendered us. 
November 17. — Moving on early, we were guided 
by the natives for about twelve miles, round the 
head of Fowler’s Bay, crossing through a very 
sandy, scrubby, and hilly country, and encamping 
at a water hole, dug between the sandy ridges, 
about two o’clock in the day. I had ridden a little 
in advance of the party, and arriving at the water 
first, surprised some women and children encamped 
there, and very busily engaged in roasting snakes 
and lizards over a fire. They were much afraid and 
ran away on seeing me, leaving their food upon the 
embers, this our friendly guides unceremoniously 
seized upon and devoured, as soon as they came up 
with the drays. These few women were the first 
