by the misadventure, performed their work with a
sullen moroseness, enlivening their gloom by animadversions on the
river, the country, and everybody connected with their peregrination.

In this humour John left them to follow him, while he proceeded to the
station, where we will also lead the reader. Upon his return to Fern
Vale, he found, during his short absence, that the blacks, attracted by
the appearance of a fresh settlement, had congregated in some
considerable numbers; though more out of curiosity than with any idea of
aggression. At sight of John, a number of them immediately assembled
round him; looking at him, and everything about the place, in a sort of
inquisitive manner; jabbering amongst themselves; and handling
everything portable within their reach. The group consisted of some
twenty persons of both sexes and various ages; and were a family of the
Nungar tribe, which usually made its home on the other side of the
Gibson river, in the scrub, and the mountains and broken country
receding from it.

The sight of this visitation did not altogether please the young
squatter, for he thought he saw in the future considerable annoyance
from similar visits. He therefore demanded of them what they required;
and told them, that though he had no objection to their coming about the
place so long as they behaved themselves, if he caught them committing
any theft, or becoming in any way troublesome, he would not allow one of
them afterwards to approach the station.

They seemed to understand this communication; for one of them informed
John, that a good many of their tribe had been employed by the
squatters, to wash their sheep, and do work about the stations, and
would be very glad to do the same for him. Thinking possibly that it
might be the means of coming to some friendly understanding with the
tribe, and would give him a means of acquiring some knowledge of their
movements and disposition, he thought it advisable to take the services
of some of them; more especially as in the then rough state of the
settlement, their services could be turned to some account. Acting on
this impulse, then, he selected two young athletic black boys; who
seemed more intelligent than the majority, and who appeared to have a
disposition to remain on the station, and to adapt themselves to the
ways of the white man. He then distributed some tobacco and rations
amongst them, and they took their departure apparently well pleased.

By