ly
native we ever knew who immediately shewed a fondness for spirits: Colbee
would not at first touch them. Nor was the effect of wine or brandy upon
him more perceptible than an equal quantity would have produced upon one of
us, although fermented liquor was new to him.

In his eating, he was alike compliant. When a turtle was shown to Arabanoo,
he would not allow it to be a fish, and could not be induced to eat of it.
Baneelon also denied it to be a fish; but no common councilman in Europe
could do more justice than he did to a very fine one, that the 'Supply' had
brought from Lord Howe Island, and which was served up at the governor's
table on Christmas Day.

His powers of mind were certainly far above mediocrity. He acquired
knowledge, both of our manners and language, faster than his predecessor
had done. He willingly communicated information; sang, danced, and capered,
told us all the customs of his country, and all the details of his family
economy. Love and war seemed his favourite pursuits; in both of which he
had suffered severely. His head was disfigured by several scars; a spear
had passed through his arm, and another through his leg. Half of one of his
thumbs was carried away; and the mark of a wound appeared on the back of
his hand. The cause and attendant circumstances of all these disasters,
except one, he related to us.

"But the wound on the back of your hand, Baneelon! How did you get that?"

He laughed, and owned that it was received in carrying off a lady of
another tribe by force. "I was dragging her away. She cried aloud, and
stuck her teeth in me."

"And what did you do then?"

"I knocked her down, and beat her till she was insensible, and covered with
blood. Then..."

Whenever he recounted his battles, "poised his lance, and showed how fields
were won", the most violent exclamations of rage and vengeance against his
competitors in arms, those of the tribe called Cameeragal in particular,
would burst from him. And he never failed at such times to solicit the
governor to accompany him, with a body of soldiers, in order that he might
exterminate this hated name.

Although I call him only Baneelon, he had besides several appellations, and
for a while he chose to be distinguished by that of Wolarawaree. Again, as
a mark of affection and respect to the governor, he conferred on him the
name of Wolarawaree, and sometimes called him 'Beenena' (father), adopting
to himself the name of governor.