junceum appeared to be the only plant that had withstood the effects of the drought.  Yet, notwithstanding this general depression of the vegetable kingdom, the animals that had been brought from Wellington Valley were in the best condition, and were, indeed, too fat for effective labour; it might, therefore, be reasonably presumed, that herbage affording such nourishment in so unfavourable a season, would be of the richest quality, if fresh and vigorous under the influence of seasonable, and not excessive, rains.

Firing of the great marshes.

The appearance of the country was, however, truly melancholy; there was not a flower in bloom, nor a green object to be seen.  Whether our arrival had increased their alarm, is uncertain, but the natives continued to fire the great marshes, and as the element raged amongst them, large bodies of smoke rose over the horizon like storm clouds, and had the effect of giving additional dreariness to the scene.  I am inclined to think that they made these conflagrations to procure food, by seizing whatsoever might issue from the flames, as snakes, birds, or other animals; for they had taken every fish in the river, and the low state of its waters had enabled them to procure an abundance of muscles from its bed, which they had consumed with their characteristic improvidence.  They were, consequently, in a starving condition, and so pitiable were their indications of it, that I was induced to feed such of them as visited the camp, notwithstanding their late misconduct; being likewise anxious to bring about a good understanding, as the best means of ensuring the safety of the smaller party when we should separate, of which I had reason to be doubtful.  These people had killed two white men not long before my arrival among them, and as the circumstances attending the slaughter are singular, I shall relate them.

Slaughter of two Irish runaways.

The parties were two Irish runaways, who thought they could make their way to Timor.  They escaped from Wellington Valley with a fortnight’s provision each, and a couple of dogs, and proceeded down the Macquarie.  About the cataract, they fell in with the Mount Harris tribe, and remained with them for some days, when they determined on pursuing their journey.  The blacks, however, wanted to get possession of their dogs, and a resistance on the part of the Europeans brought on a quarrel.  It appears, that before the blacks proceeded to extremities, they furnished the Irishmen, who were unarmed, with weapons, and then told them to defend themselves, but whether against equal or inferior numbers, I am uninformed.  One of them soon fell, which the other observing, he took his knife out, and cut the throats of both the dogs before the blacks had time to put him to death.  He was, however, sacrificed; and both the men were eaten by the tribe generally.  I questioned several on the subject, but they preserved the most sullen silence, neither acknowledging nor denying the fact.