THE NATIVES. 
197 
statements one would infer that the parties con- 
cerned in these transactions were without blame, 
being perfectly justified — the one to protect his 
life, and the other his property. However, since 
my return to Port Lincoln, I have learned that both 
tales run very differently when told according to 
truth. I address myself, therefore, to you, with the 
true facts of the transactions, as I have learned them, 
partly from the settlers themselves, partly from 
the natives. My motive for so doing is to ease my 
own mind, and to gratify the interest which I know 
you take in the Aborigines of this country. 
“ The man shot by the police was named Padlalta, 
and was of so mild and inoffensive a disposition, 
that he was generally noticed by the settlers on 
that very account, several of whom I have heard 
say since, it was a pity that some other native had 
not been hit in his stead. The same man was cap- 
tured last year by Major O’Halloran’s party, but 
was set at liberty as soon as I came up and testified 
his innocence, for which the poor fellow kissed my 
hand near a dozen times. 
“ The day before he met his death he was as 
usual in the town, doing little jobs for the inhabi- 
tants, to get bread or other food. On the evening 
when he was killed, he had encamped with about 
half a dozen other natives on the northern side of 
Happy Valley, a short mile from the town. The 
police who were sent by the Government Resident 
to see what number of natives were at the camp 
