quiet and inoffensive aboriginals, with pretty children in the midst of a peaceful and happy camp, situated in charming scenery amidst fantastic rocks, with beautiful herbage and pure water for our almighty beasts.  What a delightful oasis in the desert to the weary traveller!  The elder aboriginals, though the words of their mouths were smoother than butter, yet war was in their hearts.  They appeared to enjoy our company very well.  “Each in his place allotted, had silent sat or squatted, while round their children trotted, in pretty youthful play.  One can’t but smile who traces the lines on their dark faces, to the pretty prattling graces of these small heathens gay.”

The 16th October, 1875, was drawing to a close, as all its predecessors from time’s remotest infancy have done; the cheery voice of the expedition cook had called us to our evening meal; as usual we sat down in peaceful contentment, not dreaming that death or danger was lurking near, but nevertheless, outside this peaceful scene a mighty preparation for our destruction was being made by an army of unseen and unsuspected foes.

   “The hunting tribes of air and earth
    Respect the brethren of their birth;
    Man only mars kind Nature’s plan,
    And turns the fierce pursuit on man.”

(Illustration:  Attack at Ularring.)

Our supper was spread, by chance or Providential interference, a little earlier than usual.  Mr. Young, having finished his meal first, had risen from his seat.  I happened to be the last at the festive board.  In walking towards the place where his bedding was spread upon the rocks, he saw close to him, but above on the main rock, and at about the level of his eyes, two unarmed natives making signs to the two quiet and inoffensive ones that were in the camp, and instantaneously after he saw the front rank of a grand and imposing army approaching, guided by the two scouts in advance.  I had not much time to notice them in detail, but I could see that these warriors were painted, feathered, and armed to the teeth with spears, clubs, and other weapons, and that they were ready for instant action.  Mr. Young gave the alarm, and we had only just time to seize our firearms when the whole army was upon us.  At a first glance this force was most imposing; the coup d’oeil was really magnificent; they looked like what I should imagine a body of Comanche Indians would appear when ranged in battle line.  The men were closely packed in serried ranks, and it was evident they formed a drilled and perfectly organised force.  Immediate action became imminent, and as most fortunately they had thought to find us seated at supper, and to spear us as we sat in a body together, we had just time, before fifty, sixty, or a hundred spears could be thrown at us, as I immediately gave the command to fire, to have the first discharge at them.  Had it been otherwise not one of us could possibly have escaped their spears—­all