On this hill were three large tombs of the natives, of an oval shape and about twelve feet in the greater axis.  Each stood in the centre of an artificial hollow, the mound, or tomb in the middle, being about five feet high; and on each of them were piled numerous withered branches and limbs of trees, no inappropriate emblem of mortality.  I could scarcely doubt that these tombs covered the remains of that portion of the tribe swept off by the fell disease which had left such marks on all who survived.  There were no trees on this hill save one quite dead, which seemed to point, with its hoary arms, like a spectre to the tombs.  A melancholy waste, where a level country and boundless woods extended beyond the reach of vision, was in perfect harmony with the dreary foreground of the scene. (See Plate 16.)

NATIVE VILLAGE.

At the base of this hill, on the west, the river took a very sharp turn, forming there a triangular basin, much wider and deeper than any of the reaches.  Near it we found a native village in which the huts were of a very strong and permanent construction.  One group was in ruins, but the more modern had been recently thatched with dry grass.

PLAN OF NATIVES’ HUT.

Each formed a semicircle, the huts facing inwards, or to the centre, and the open side of the curve being towards the east.  On the side of the hill of tombs there was one unusually capacious hut, capable of containing twelve or fifteen persons, and of a very substantial construction as well as commodious plan, especially in the situation for the fire which, without any of the smoke being enclosed, was accessible from every part of the hut.

It was evidently some time since this dwelling had been inhabited; and I was uncertain whether such a large solitary hut had not been made during the illness of those who must have died in great numbers, to give occasion for the large tombs on the hill.

METHOD OF MAKING CORDAGE.

In this hut were many small bundles of wild flax, evidently in a state of preparation, for making cord or line nets and other purposes.  Each bundle consisted of a handful of stems twisted and doubled once, but their decayed state showed that the place had been long deserted.  A great quantity of the flax, in that state, lay about the floor, and on the roof of the hut.  The view from the hill of tombs was dreary enough, as already observed.  Southward a country as level, and then much bluer than the ocean, extended to the horizon.  North-westward some parts of the range beyond the river appeared between the large gumtrees.  On all other sides the horizon was unbroken.

THE TALL NATIVE’S FIRST VISIT.

July 8.