Part 1 (1/2)

The Confessions of a Beachcomber

by E J Banfield

PART I

THE CONFESSIONS OF A BEACHCOMBER

INTRODUCTION

Does the fact that a weak ht an unprofaned sanctuary--an island removed from the haunts of men--and there dwelt in tranquillity, happiness and security, represent any just occasion for the relation of his experiences--experiences necessarily out of the coes to find answer

Few men of their own free will seek seclusion, for does notto the social vertebrates, and do not the instincts of the e himself a variant from the type, and his characteristics or idiosyncrasies (as you will) to be so marked as to impel him to deem them sound and reasonable; when, after sedate and tes upon all the aspects of voluntary exile as affecting his lifetime partner as well as himself, he deliberately puts himself out of communion with his fellows, does the experiht of entertaine he may fancy himself called upon to deliver?

or, is the fancy merely another phase of the tyranny of temperament?

We cannot always trust in ourselves and in the boldest of our illusions

There must be trial Then, if success be achieved and the illusion becos and conditions merely ”innutritious phantoms,” were it not wise, indeed essential, to tell of it all, so that mayhap the illusions of othersthat many should attempt the part of the Beachcomber All cannot play it ould Few can be indifferent to that which men commonly prize All are not free to test touchy probleh thoughtful islands to go round Only for the few are there ideal or even convenient scenes for those hile perceiving some of the charms of solitude, are at the same time compelled by circumstances ever and anon to ad them jump to the practical necessities of the case

Here then I coes there will be an endeavour to refrain frootism, and yet how may one who lives a lonesome life on an island and who presumes to write its history evade that duty? My chief desire is to set down in plain language the sobrieties of everyday occurrences--the unpretentious homilies of an unpretentious man--one whose mental bent enabled hie, heavy and is and subjects hoht and casual; who perhaps has queer views on the pursuit of happiness, and who above all has an inordinate passion for freedom and fresh air

Moreover, these chronicles really have to do with the lives of two people--not youthful enthusiasts, but beings who had arrived at an age when many of the minor romances are of the past Whosoever looks for the relation of sensational adventures, exciting situations, or even humorous predicaments, will assuredly be disappointed Possibly thereto interest those ish to learn a few of the details of the foundation of a home in tropical Australia; and to understand the conditions of life here, not as they affect the e his fortune, nor the settler who in the sweat of his face has to eat bread, but as they affect one to whoiven neither poverty nor riches, and who has proved (to his own satisfaction at least) the wisdoe rote--”If you wish to increase a man's happiness seek not to increase his possessions, but to decrease his desires” Success will have been achieved if these pages reveal candour and truthfulness, and if thereby proof is given that in North Queensland one ”can draw nearer to nature, and though the advantages of civilisation remain unforfeited, to the happy condition of the simple, uncoht may shi+ne upon certain phases of the character of the Australian aboriginal, space is allotted in this book to selected anecdotes Soinal; a few have been previously honoured by print Others have wandered, unlettered vagrants, so far and wide as to have lost all record of legitiladly offer hospitality, and acknowledge with thankfulness their cheerful presence

Grateful acknowledgments are due to Mr F Manson Bailey, FLS, the official botanist of Queensland, for the scientific noeneral way

E J BANFIELD

BRAMMO BAY, DUNK ISLAND, November, 1906

CHAPTER I

THE BEACHCOMBER'S DOMAIN

Two and a half hly speaking, between the southern and the northern limits of the Great Barrier Reef, that low rampart of coral which is one of the wonders of the world--is an island bearing the old English name of Dunk

Other islands and islets are in close proximity, a dozen or so within a radius of as roup, the largest in area, the highest in altitude, the nearest the mainland, the fairest, the best It possesses a well-sheltered haven (herein to be known as Bra creeks mark a further splendid distinction It has a superficial area of over three square raphy is diversified--hill and valley, forest and jungle, grassy coloomy pockets and hollows, cliffs and precipices, bold prorove flats A long V-shaped valley opens to the south-east between steep spurs of a double-peaked range Four satellites stand in attendance, enhancing charms superior to their own

This island is our home He ould see the most picturesque portions of the whole of the 2000 miles of the east coast of Australia one by, Dunk Island, ”coonanglebah” of the blacks, had an evil repute Fertile and fruitful, set in the shi+ning sea abounding with dugong, turtle and all h-cast with oysters; tee with bird life, and but little more than half an hour's canoe trip froh-spirited, resentful and treacherous, far froers One sea-captain wasa ht tomahawk, a rare prize in those days This was the most trivial of the many incidents by which the natives expressed their character

Inhospitable acts were coan to pay the island visits, for they found the blacks hostile and daring Why invoke those long-silent spectres, white as well as black, when all active boorishness is of the past? Civilisation has almost fulfilled its inexorable law; but four out of a considerable population reht of the bad old ti processes, or rather the results of thean to be felt They inals at least, judging by the stamp of two of those who survive; and perhaps that is why they resented interference, and consequently soon began to give way before the irresistible pressure of the whites Possibly, had they been more docile and placid, the re representatives of the race You shall judge of the type by what is related of some of the habits and customs of the semi-civilised survivors