May 10.

We moved (on 345 degrees) for Nyngan, which we reached at half-past twelve.  We passed on our left Borribilu, and there I was introduced by the king to a new tribe.  On first espying these people seated under a tree at a great distance near the river-bank, he directed my attention that way by using the same gestures which he was accustomed to make in giving me notice of a kangaroo or emu.

DANGEROUS MISTAKE.

I accordingly left my horse, going cautiously forward with my rifle.  The chief however kept by me, anxiously calling out with a pathetic voice “Myen, myen,” which words, as I afterwards learnt, meant Men! men!  But it was not until a thought had passed in my mind of firing among the group, that I had the good fortune to discover my mistake.  The figures seated and covered with grey clay had very much the resemblance of a grey species of kangaroo which we had often seen on the Bogan.  I then went forward with him, and was received with the most demure inattention; that is to say, by the natives sitting cross-legged, with their eyes fixed on the ground, which it appeared was their formal mode of expressing respect or consideration for strangers when first received.

Nyngan was a long pond of water on which were many ducks, and those birds called in the colony native companions.

A TRUE SAVAGE.

The blacks sat down at a fire nearer to us than usual, and the strong man with a bad countenance particularly attracted my attention.

I prevailed on him to sit until I sketched his face; for which piece of civility I gave him a tomahawk.  Late at night, when I was about to go to sleep, he came softly up to my tent, demanding something in a whisper.  I showed him my rifle, and gave the man on watch strict orders to look sharp.  This savage was twice afterwards caught about the carts during the night, and in the morning he was seen pointing out to other natives the cart on which the flour was placed.  I never saw a worse countenance on any native; and I was deprived even of the slight comfort of a doubt as to poor Cunningham’s fate on looking at it.

THE KING OF THE BOGAN TAKES HIS LEAVE.

May 11.

The king, who had most kindly accompanied us on every day’s journey from Cudduldury, carefully pointing out the open parts of the country, and the waterholes on which to encamp, this morning took leave of us, having previously been at some pains to introduce us to the Bungan tribe.  These last natives did not however so well understand our wants; and I was then rather inclined to be rid of them, and push on at a faster rate than they would allow me.  I therefore refused to halt as they wished at Condurgo, and proceeded.  Our new acquaintance followed until the dogs started after some kangaroos, and having been long absent, I sent in search of them, when some of the natives were caught carrying off a kangaroo which the dogs had killed, and others were decoying our animals away with them.  On the kangaroo being brought to me I gave it to the tribe, in hopes that they would remain to eat it, and thus leave us to pursue our journey.