480 
KING GEORGE'S SOUND 
CHAP. XIX 
one man imitated the movements of a kangaroo grazing in the 
woods, whilst a second crawled up and pretended to spear him. 
When both tribes mingled in the dance, the ground trembled 
with the heaviness of their steps, and the air resounded with 
their wild cries. Every one appeared in high spirits, and the 
group of nearly naked figures, viewed by the light of the 
blazing fires, all moving in hideous harmony, formed a perfect 
display of a festival amongst the lowest barbarians. In Tierra 
del Fuego we have beheld many curious scenes in savage life, 
but never, I think, one where the natives were in such high 
spirits, and so perfectly at their ease. After the dancing was 
over, the whole party formed a great circle on the ground, and 
the boiled rice and sugar was distributed, to the delight of all. 
After several tedious delays from clouded weather, on the 
14th of March we gladly stood out of King George’s Sound 
on our course to Keeling Island. Farewell, Australia! you 
are a rising child, and doubtless some day will reign a great 
princess in the South ; but you are too great and ambitious 
for affection, yet not great enough for respect. I leave your 
shores without sorrow or regret. 
AUSTRALIAN GROUP OF WEAPONS AND THROWING STICKS. 
