suspicion. After exchanging a
few words with each other, one of them spoke to him in a jargon which he
seemed to understand, though we could not. He replied with hesitation.
For some time they continued asking him questions, and then talking to
each other in a slang which was as incomprehensible to us as was the
language they spoke to the native.

"I say, master, there are a few little things we want, and would be
obliged to you if you'd supply us with," said one of the men. "In the
first place, we should be glad of some tobacco, and maybe you've got
some about you; and we want some powder and shot, and a couple of
knives; and a suit of clothes wouldn't come amiss."

Mudge had a couple of cigars, and Paddy a small quantity of tobacco,
which, without hesitation, they gave to the strangers.

"As for powder, we can spare you but a small quantity," said Mudge; "and
for the other things, you must come to our camp to obtain them. I
suppose Captain Rayner will be willing to give you what you require for
your necessities."

"You'll not play us a scurvy trick, and detain us, if we come?" said one
of the men.

"We are not likely to do that," answered Mudge, somewhat surprised at
the remark. "You can repay us by giving us a description of the country
between Sydney and this."

"Well, we'll come by-and-by, and you'll have the things ready for us,"
said the man, in a tone which still further surprised us.

Having satisfied our hunger, we divided the kangaroo into portions, each
forming such a load as we could carry. Mudge and Paddy took the
heaviest, leaving Tommy and me somewhat lighter ones. The strangers,
without making any apology, loaded their horses with the larger portion
of the other animal Pullingo seemed highly delighted when we gave him
the remainder. The strangers declined accompanying us, but said they
would follow by-and-by. Just as we were setting off, they again begged
that we would spare them a little powder and shot, acknowledging that
their own was expended, and that they could neither obtain food nor
defend themselves against the natives. They looked so miserable that we
could not help feeling compassion for them, and each of us gave them a
portion of powder from our flasks and some shot from our belts.

As it was time to return, we set off, leaving them still seated at the
fire cooking some of the kangaroo. Pullingo having obtained his share,
immediately trotted off with it across the country