not only remained silent, but motionless, notwithstanding all the signs and noise we made.  We then discharged a gun, but it had not the intended effect of inducing him to speak or stir.  At last I desired Charley to ascend the neighbouring tree, to show him that we could easily get at him if necessary.  This plan was more successful; for no sooner were Charley’s intentions perceived, than our friend gave the most evident proof of his being neither deaf nor dumb, by calling out most lustily.  He pooh’d, he birrrred, he spat, and cooeed; in fact, he did everything to make the silent forest re-echo with the wild sounds of his alarm; our horses, which were standing under the tree, became frightened, and those which were loose ran away.  We were much afraid that his cooees would bring the whole tribe to his assistance, and every one eagerly proffered his advice.  Charley wished to shoot him, “or,” said he, “you will all be killed; I do not care for myself, but I care for your being killed and buried.”  Others wished to remove from the spot, and so give him an opportunity of escaping.  I was, of course, horrified at the idea of shooting a poor fellow, whose only crime, if so it might be called, was in having mistaken our fire for that of his own tribe:  so I went to our own fire, which was at a short distance, where he could see me distinctly, and then made signs for him to descend and go away.  He then began to be a little more quiet, and to talk; but soon hallooed again, and threw sticks at myself, at my companions, and at the horses.  We now retired about eight yards, to allow him to escape, which we had not done before, because I feared he might imagine we were afraid of his incantations, for he sang most lamentable corrobories, and cried like a child; frequently exclaiming, “Mareka!  Mareka!!” This word is probably identical with Marega; the name given by the Malays to the natives of the north coast, which is also called by them “Marega.” [Capt.  King’s Intertropical Survey of Australia, vol.  I. p. 135.] After continuing his lamentations for some time, but of which we took no notice, they gradually ceased; and, in a few minutes, a slight rustling noise was heard, and he was gone:  doubtless delighted at having escaped from the hands of the pale-faced anthropophagi.

July 8.—­This morning the whole tribe, well armed, watched us from a distance; but they allowed us quietly to load our bullocks, and depart, without offering us the least annoyance.  Their companion will, no doubt, leave a dreadful account of the adventures of last night to his black posterity.