when we rode up, but seemed very friendly. I unpacked my blanket,
and took out specimens of the things I intended giving them,--a
tomahawk, a knife, beads, a looking-glass, comb, and flour and
sugar. The tomahawk was the great object of attraction, after that
the knife, but I think the looking-glass surprised them most. On
seeing their faces reflected, some seemed dazzled, others opened
their eyes like saucers, and made a rattling noise with their
tongues expressive of wonder. We had quite a friendly palaver, and
my watch amused them immensely. I made them understand that they
were to bring the whole tribe up next morning to our camp to
receive their presents, and we parted the best of friends.

September 24th.--This morning, about ten o'clock, our black friends
appeared in a long procession, men, women, and children, or, as
they here also call them, piccaninnies; and at a mile distance they
commenced bawling at the top of their voices as usual. When
collected altogether on a little flat, just below our camp, they
must have numbered between thirty and forty, and the uproar was
deafening. With the aid of King, I at last got them all seated
before me, and distributed the presents--tomahawks, knives,
necklaces, looking-glasses, combs--amongst them. I think no people
were ever so happy before, and it was very interesting to see how
they pointed out one or another whom they thought might be
overlooked. The piccaninnies were brought forward by their parents
to have red ribbon tied round their dirty little heads. An old
woman, Carrawaw, who had been particularly kind to King, was loaded
with things. I then divided fifty pounds of sugar between them,
each one taking his share in a union-jack pocket-handkerchief,
which they were very proud of. The sugar soon found its way into
their mouths; the flour, fifty pounds of which I gave them, they at
once called "white-fellow nardoo," and explained that they
understood that these things were given to them for having fed
King. Some old clothes were then put on some of the men and women,
and the affair ended in several of our party and several of the
black fellows having an impromptu "corroboree," to the intense
delight of the natives, and I must say, very much to our amusement.
They left, making signs expressive of friendship, carrying their
presents with them. The men all wore a net girdle; and of the women
some wore one of leaves, others of feathers. I feel confident that
we have