rs.

On being asked where their women were, they pointed to the spot, but seemed
not desirous that we should approach it. However, in a few minutes, a
female appeared not far off, and Abaroo was dispatched to her. Baneelon
now joined with Abaroo to persuade her to come to us, telling us she was
Barangaroo, and his wife, notwithstanding he had so lately pretended that
she had left him for Colbee. At length she yielded, and Abaroo, having
first put a petticoat on her, brought her to us. But this was the prudery
of the wilderness, which her husband joined us to ridicule, and we soon
laughed her out of it. The petticoat was dropped with hesitation, and
Barangaroo stood "armed cap-a-pee in nakedness." At the request of
Baneelon, we combed and cut her hair, and she seemed pleased with the
operation. Wine she would not taste, but turned from it with disgust,
though heartily invited to drink by the example and persuasion of Baneelon.
In short, she behaved so well, and assumed the character of gentleness and
timidity to such advantage, that had our acquaintance ended here, a very
moderate share of the spirit of travelling would have sufficed to record,
that amidst a horde of roaming savages, in the desert wastes of New South
Wales, might be found as much feminine innocence, softness, and modesty
(allowing for inevitable difference of education), as the most finished
system could bestow, or the most polished circle produce. So little fitted
are we to judge of human nature at once! And yet on such grounds have
countries been described, and nations characterized. Hence have arisen
those speculative and laborious compositions on the advantages and
superiority of a state of nature. But to resume my subject.

Supposing, that by a private conversation, she might be induced to visit
Sydney, which would be the means of drawing her husband and others thither,
Abaroo was instructed to take her aside, and try if she could persuade her
to comply with our wish. They wandered away together accordingly, but it
was soon seen, that Barangaroo's arguments to induce Abaroo to rejoin their
society, were more powerful than those of the latter, to prevail upon her
to come among us; for it was not without manifest reluctance, and often
repeated injunctions, that Abaroo would quit her countrywomen; and when she
had done so, she sat in the boat, in sullen silence, evidently occupied by
reflection on the scene she had left behind, and returning inclination