NUMEROUS TRIBES FOLLOW.

When we had proceeded about halfway to the next camp we discovered that we were followed closely by a numerous tribe of natives.  One of our men having dropped behind fell in with them, and was nearly detained by a fellow who flourished a large iron tomahawk over his head.  Another of our party who came in contact with a native, and who requested him by signs to come to me, understood him to express by similar means his intention to go northward.  The main body however amounting to one hundred or upwards, continued to move parallel to our route, and in lines of twos and threes.  Fortunately we were approaching the open plains where I knew we should be comparatively secure from any treacherous assaults, and it was therefore probable that they would not follow us so far.  We were advancing however towards those who were feasting on my supplies, not far from the base of the mountain cone, which was then our landmark.  The natives there were not unlikely to be formidable enemies, encouraged by their late success; and, with such prospects before us it was by no means agreeable to be thus followed in rear by others.  I was accordingly much inclined to question the intentions of these if they continued to accompany our party beyond the woods.  As we approached the plains we perceived fire and smoke before us, on the banks of the large lagoon, where we were to encamp, and on an angle of ground where our passage was confined between the lagoon and a narrow muddy channel from the east we saw seven new but deserted huts, which had been erected on our track, as if to watch our approach.  On reaching them we found one large hut in the centre, and the others arranged in a semicircle round it, the whole being of a very substantial construction, and neatly thatched with dry grass and reeds.

THE PARTY REGAINS THE PLAINS.

We arrived at our old ground after a journey of nine hours, which was the time exactly in which we had before traversed the same distance.

Our tents now commanded a view of the open plains between us and the woods from which we had at length emerged.  The bold outline of the Nundewar range in the opposite direction was a comfortable prospect for us; although we were still to investigate the particulars of the tragedy which had been acted at their base.  A very hot wind blew strongly in the afternoon, and I was prepared to advance towards the natives had they followed us into the plain.  Mr. White in the meantime kept a sharp lookout; but the natives prudently remained within their woods.

At the lagoon we again found the beautiful crested pigeon which seemed peculiar to these parts, as on both occasions we had seen it here, and only in this vicinity.  The remarkable tree on which the fruit had been before abundant bore now, with the exception of a young crop, one solitary specimen; the rest having been pulled and eaten by the natives, as appeared from the stones which lay about.  That single specimen could only be preserved in a drawing; and this I made as well as a very high hot-wind and our critical situation with respect to the natives permitted.