things
which powerfully excited the curiosity of the others had the least charm
for him, but his eyes were always fixed on me with a look of eagerness
and anxiety which I was unable to account for.

We explained to the strange natives that we intended to halt for the
night in this neighbourhood, and asked them to show us a good spot with
plenty of water and grass. At the same time those I had with me stated to
the others that unless the women and children came in I would give no
rice or flour. This declaration was however wholly unauthorised by my
sanction, and arose from their desire of exhibiting their personal
attractions to the ladies of these parts; but, feeling rather disposed to
see a little savage flirtation, I raised no objection to it.

The oldest of the natives, who appeared to regard me with so much
curiosity, went off for the purpose of collecting the women whilst we
proceeded to our place of halt. After going about three miles in a due
north direction we made a river coming from an east and by south
direction, and here called by the natives Goonmarrarup; it lies in rather
a deep valley, and at this point consisted of large pools connected by a
running stream about 20 yards wide. There was plenty of wildfowl upon
these pools and Ugat soon shot some for us.

SCENERY.

The scenery here was very picturesque: high wooded hills were upon each
side of us, and the valley was open and rather thinly timbered; but the
few trees it contained were of considerable size and beauty. Beneath one
of these we prepared our bivouac, the strange natives doing their utmost
to render themselves useful. They had never before seen white people, and
the quickness with which they understood our wants and hastened to
gratify them was very satisfactory.

MEETING WITH NATIVE WOMEN.

After we had tethered the horses and made ourselves tolerably comfortable
we heard loud voices from the hills above us: the effect was fine for
they really almost appeared to float in the air; and as the wild cries of
the women, who knew not our exact position, came by upon the wind, I
thought it was well worth a little trouble to hear these savage sounds
under such circumstances. Our guides shouted in return, and gradually the
approaching cries came nearer and nearer.

CURIOUS SUPERSTITION. CEREMONIES.

I was however wholly unprepared for the scene that was about to take
place. A sort of procession came up, headed by two women down whose
cheeks t