icularly to and amongst
themselves); prevented only, as we have already said, in their
intercourse with the whites, from exercising the latter by the
predominance of the first. Their physical formation is decidedly of the
inferior order; with very few exceptions, they are by no means muscular
or well formed. Their bodies are covered with long, raised wales, which
are caused by incisions made with a sharp instrument (such as a shell
or a flint), when the patient is young; the wounds are for some time
kept open with earth, and made to assume their embossment in the
operation of healing. In their movements they are sluggish, though agile
when stimulated to action. Their limbs are of surprising tenuity. In
their communications with one another they are volatile; verbose in
conversation, and puerile in manner: continually embroiled in some
quarrel, which either ends in words, or terminates in the act of the
secret assassin; rarely coming to an open rupture while the adversaries
are on their guard.

Their women, or "gins," are even inferior to the men, both physically
and mentally. In appearance they are perfectly hideous, almost to
deformity, and are the drudges of their lords; whom they repay for their
contumely, by keeping in continual broils, during which their feminine
voices are ever heard over the din of their verbal contentions.

We have said Jemmy Davis was the ambassador of his tribe, and that he
had introduced himself and Dugingi to John Ferguson. We will therefore,
now, after our epic digression, resume our narrative, by repeating the
conversation that followed.

"Well, Jemmy," said John Ferguson, "and what may be your pleasure? to
what may we attribute the honour of your visit?"

"We came to tell you, sir," replied the plenipo, "that we have a great
'corroboree' to-night, and we want some rations."

"And what is your corroboree for, Jemmy?" enquired John.

"It's a 'kipper corroboree,' sir," replied Jemmy.

"Well," replied John, "I'll not give you a mouthful of anything until
you send back my black boys. What made them leave me? I treated them
well; gave them plenty of rations, and blankets on cold nights; so why
did they run away? Will you tell me?"

Dugingi replied, "Billy been tell'um me how Misser Rainsfield and
Misser Smithers been beat 'em; and bael budgery (not good) that fellow;
budgery (good) fellow you; bael (not) you beat 'em black fellow; and
black fellow been wooller (say) you corbon budgery