A TRIBE OF NATIVES.

On the 16th, we fell in with a numerous tribe of natives who joined our
train after the very necessary ceremonies of an introduction had
passed, and when added to those who still accompanied us, amounted to
fifty-three. On this occasion I was riding somewhat in front of the
party, when I came upon them. They were very different in appearance
from those whom we had surprised at the river; and from the manner in
which I was received, I was led to infer that they had been informed of
our arrival, and had purposely assembled to meet us. I was saluted by
an old man, who had stationed himself in front of his tribe, and who
was their chief. Behind him the young men stood in a line, and behind
them the warriors were seated on the ground.

CONDUCT OF THE NATIVES.

I had a young native with me who had attached himself to our party, and
who, from his extreme good nature and superior intelligence, was
considered by us as a first-rate kind of fellow. He explained who and
what we were, and I was glad to observe that the old chief seemed
perfectly reconciled to my presence, although he cast many an anxious
glance at the long train of animals that were approaching. The
warriors, I remarked, never lifted their eyes from the ground. They
were hideously painted with red and yellow ochre, and had their weapons
at their sides, while their countenances were fixed, sullen, and
determined. In order to overcome this mood, I rode up to them, and,
taking a spear from the nearest, gave him my gun to examine; a mark of
confidence that was not lost upon them, for they immediately relaxed
from their gravity, and as soon as my party arrived, rose up and
followed us. That which appeared most to excite their surprise, was the
motion of the wheels of the boat carriage. The young native whom I have
noticed above, acted as interpreter, and, by his facetious manner,
contrived to keep the whole of us in a fit of laughter as we moved
along. He had been named Botheri by some stockman.

In consequence of our wish to cross the river, we kept near it, and
experienced considerable delay from the frequent marshes that opposed
themselves to our progress. In one of these we saw a number of ibises
and spoonbills; and the natives succeeded in killing two or three
snakes. Our view to the westward was extremely limited; but to the
eastward the country appeared in some places to expand into plains.

CROSSING OF THE RIVER.

After travellin