240 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
appear like the others, but the difference was 
plainly perceptible. On perceiving that he was 
the object of our conversation, a certain arch- 
ness and lively expression came over his coun- 
tenance, which a native Australian would have 
strained his features in vain to have produced : 
The natives appeared to be very fond of him. 
It seems probable that he must have been kid- 
napped when very young, or found while astray 
in the woods * . 
“ These Indians made repeated signs for hatch- 
ets, which they called padco-pdaco, and although 
they had stolen two or three on their first appear- 
ance, it was considered desirable to gain their 
good will by giving them more, and three were 
accordingly presented to individuals among them 
who appeared to be in authority. They were 
of course much pleased, but the next day se- 
veral axes, knives, and sickles were taken by 
force from men employed outside the settlement, 
upon which they were made to understand, that 
until these articles were restored no more would 
be given. This arrangement being persevered 
* At our visit to this place in 1818, and during our communi- 
cation with the natives, a boy oF the above description was no- 
ticed among them ; he was brought down upon the shoulders of 
one of the Indians, in which position he is represented in the 
view. See vol. i. p. 112. 
