HABITS OF LIFE. 
215 
but sit down, and act, and look, as if they had never 
been out of the encampment ; in fact, if any thing, 
they are more taciturn and reserved than usual, and 
some little time elapses before they enter into con- 
versation with freedom, or in their ordinary manner.* 
Upon meeting children after a long absence, I 
have seen parents “ fall upon their necks, and weep” 
bitterly. It is a mistaken idea, as well as an unjust 
one, that supposes the natives to be without sensi- 
bility of feeling. It may often be repressed from pride 
or policy, but it will sometimes break forth uncon- 
trolled, and reveal, that the best and genuine feelings 
of the heart are participated in by savage in com- 
mon with civilized man. The following is an in- 
stance in point A fine intelligent young boy, was, 
by his father’s consent, living with me at the 
Murray for many weeks ; but upon the old man’s 
going into Adelaide, he took his son away to accom- 
pany him. Whilst there, the boy died, and for nearly 
a year I never saw any thing more of the father, 
although he occasionally had been within a few 
miles of my neighbourhood. One day, however, I 
was out shooting about three miles from home, and 
accidentally fell in with him. Upon seeing me he 
immediately burst into tears, and was unable to speak. 
It was the first time he had met me since his son’s 
death, and my presence forcibly reminded him of his 
loss. The same circumstance occurred when he 
* For the existence of similar customs amongst the American 
Indians, vide Catlin, vol. i. p. 56. 
