Volume I Part 7 (1/2)

LOADED PISTOLS LEFT BEHIND

The accident, however, and their sudden appearance, could only serve additionally to flurry the little party who had to convey their disabled officer to a place of safety, and Mr Helpman, who may well be pardoned the want of his usual self-possession at such a moment, left behind a pair of loaded pistols They would puzzle the savages greatly of course, but I hope no ill consequences ensued: if they began pulling them about, or put them in the fire, the better to separate the wood and iron, two or three poor wretches ht be killed or maimed for life, and their first recollections of the Quibrabut favourable

Thus disastrously ter reports of forraphical instructions had induced us to anticipate the discovery of soreat water-communication with the interior of this vast Continent

A h and careful search--in which everyone see all to a zealous discharge of duty--had clearly deht elsewhere: and that very fact which at first seemed to lessen the probabilities of ultimate success, served rather to inspire than to daunt; since while it could not shake our reliance upon the opinions of those best qualified to decide, that such a river round upon which energy, knowledge, and perseverance had yet to undergo their probation, ere they enjoyed their reward!

THE BOYL-YAS

Our intercourse with the natives had been necessarily of thebeyond indulging theht of a new people, whose very existence, notwithstanding the apathetic indifference hich they regarded us, y What tradition eneration, should no newer arrival correct its gathering errors, and again restore soine; but should any misfortune follow their possession of Mr Helpman's pistols, that in particular will be narrated as theupon the water, and left soain the white sails of the explorer glisten in the distant horizon, all the iinary terrors of the Boyl-yas, will be invoked to avert the cos of Christian civilization

(Footnote The natives in the neighbourhood of Swan River give this name to their Sorcerers)

CHAPTER 15 FROM ROEBUCK BAY TO SKELETON POINT

Departure froress to the northward

Hills and Cliffs

French Naators

Tasaeys and assagais

His Authenticity as an Historian

Description of the Natives

Marks and ical Development

Moral condition

Proas, Canoes, and Rafts

Another squall

Anchor in Beagle Bay

Face of the Country

Pal with Natives

Eastern Salutation

Miago's conduct towards, and opinion of, his countrymen

Mutilation of the Hand

Native smokes seen

Move further to the North-East

Point Emeriau

Cape Leveque

Point Swan

Tide-races

Search for water

Encountered by Natives

Return to the shi+p

The attempt renewed

Conduct of the Natives

Effect of a Congreve Rocket after dark

A successful haul

More Natives