November 4. — To-DAY the party were occupied in sorting and packing stores, which I intended to send on board the Waterwitch to Fowler’s Bay, that by lightening the loads upon the drays, we might the more easily force a passage through the dense scrub which I knew we had to pass before we reached that point. In the afternoon the men were engaged in shearing5 the remainder of our sheep, washing their own clothes and preparing everything for breaking up the camp, whilst I rode down to Streaky Bay, and went on board the cutter to give orders relative to the reception of our stores tomorrow.
The harbour of Streaky Bay is extensive, but generally open to the westward6. In its most southerly bight, however, is a secure well sheltered bay, for vessels7 of moderate draught9 of water; being protected by a long sandy shoal which must be rounded before a vessel8 can enter.
23
23 A plan of this harbour was made by Mr. Cannan, one of the Government assistant surveyors of South
November 5. — To-day we were engaged in carting down the stores and a supply of water to the cutter, which we got safely on board, when I gave written instructions to the master to sail at once, and land a cask of water, a little higher up the bay, for the use of the horses. In the evening the drays were loaded and all got ready for our departure to-morrow.
Australia, when sent by the Government in a cutter to meet my party with provisions in 1839.
November 6. — Having had the horses watched last night we were enabled to move away early, and about noon arrived at the place I had appointed Mr. Germain to land the cask of water: it was all ready, and we watered the horses, took luncheon11 and moved on again, directing Mr. Germain to proceed to Smoky Bay, and land water for us again there. The country we passed through to-day was low, level, and sandy, and covered with prickly grass, with a few tea-tree swamps, but no fresh water. The shore of Streaky Bay on its western side was bounded by high steep sandy hummocks12, behind which we travelled, and at night halted on the borders of a dense scrub, nearly opposite the middle of the bay, after a stage of about eighteen miles. Our vicinity to the sea enabled Mr. Scott, myself, and the native boys to enjoy a swim, a luxury highly appreciated by a traveller after a day’s hard work, amidst heat and dust, and one which I anticipated we should frequently obtain in our course to the westward.
November 7. — Breakfasted before daylight, and moved on with the earliest dawn to encounter a scrub which I knew to be of heavier timber, and growing more closely together than any we had yet attempted. It consisted of Eucalyptus13 dumosa and the salt-water tea-tree, (the latter of a very large growth and very dense,) in a heavy sandy soil.
By keeping the axes constantly at work in advance of the drays, we succeeded in slowly forcing a passage through this dreadful country, emerging in about seventeen miles at an open plain behind Point Brown, and in the midst of which was a well of water. The entrance to this well was by a circular opening, through a solid sheet of limestone14, about fifteen inches in diameter, but enlarging a little about a foot below the surface. The water was at a depth of ten feet, and so choked up with sand and dirt that we were obliged to clear the hole out effectually before we could get any for the horses. This was both a difficult and an unpleasant occupation, as the man engaged in it had to lower himself through the very narrow aperture15 at the top and work in a very cramped16 position amongst the dirt and wet below, with the mud dripping upon him; it was drawn17 up in a bag, for a bucket could not be used in so contracted a space. As a spade could not be employed a large shell left by the natives was used for scooping18 up the dirt, which made the operation both slow and tiresome19. Our horses were dreadfully fagged and very thirsty after the severe toil21 they had endured in dragging the drays through so heavy a scrub, but with all our exertions22 we could only obtain from the spring about two buckets of water apiece for them. As this was not nearly enough to satisfy them, I was obliged to have them watched for the night to prevent their straying. The men had been kept incessantly23 at work from five in the morning until nearly ten at night, and the additional duty of watching the horses bore very hard upon them; but they knew it to be necessary, and did it cheerfully.
We had passed during our route through one or two of the small grassy24 openings so constantly met with even in the densest25 scrubs, and, as usual, I noticed upon these plains the remains26 of former scrub, where the trees were apparently27 of a larger growth than those now existing around. The soil too, from a loose sand, had become firmer and more united, and wherever the scrub had disappeared its place had been supplied by grass. This strongly confirmed my opinion, long ago formed, that those vast level wastes in Australia, now covered with low scrub, (and formerly28, I imagine, the bed of the ocean,) are gradually undergoing a process of amelioration which may one day fit them for the purposes of pasture or agriculture. The smoke of many native fires was seen during the day behind and around us, but we did not fall in with any of the natives.
November 8. — Having given each of the horses a bucket of water from the well, we moved on again through the same dense scrub we had encountered yesterday, but, if possible, more harassing29, from the increased steepness of the sandy ridges30 and the quantity of dead timber lying on the surface, and causing a great impediment to our progress. We forced our way through this worse than desert region, for about fourteen miles, and arrived early in the afternoon, with our horses quite exhausted31, upon the shores of Smoky Bay, at a point where the natives had dug a hole in the sand hills near the beach to procure32 water, and from which the south end of the island of St. Peter bore W. 15 degrees S.
The Waterwitch was already here, and supplied us with a cask of water, until the men had dined and rested a little, before entering upon the task of digging for water, which proved to be a most arduous33 undertaking34, and occupied us all the afternoon. We had to sink through a loose sand for fifteen feet, which from its nature, added to the effect of a strong wind that was blowing at the time, drifted in almost as fast as it was thrown out. We were consequently obliged to make a very large opening before we could get at the water at all; it was then very abundant, but dreadfully salt, being little better than the sea water itself; the horses and sheep however drank it greedily, as we had been able to give them but little of that received from the vessel.
November 9. — Upon mustering35 the horses this morning I found they were looking so exhausted and jaded36 after the hard toil they had gone through in the last three days, that I could not venture to put them to work again to-day. I was consequently obliged to remain in camp, to rest both them and the men, all of whom were much fatigued37. The well in the sand was even salter to-day than we had found it yesterday, and was quite unserviceable; the men had sunk the hole rather too deep, that they might get the water in greater abundance; but when the tide rose it flowed in under the sand and spoiled the whole. As the water, even at the best, had been so salt that we could not use it ourselves, and as it was far from being wholesome39 for the horses, I did not think it worth while to give the men the fatigue38 of digging another hole. I therefore put both horses and men upon a limited allowance, and got a cask containing sixty gallons from the cutter for our day’s supply. I also took the opportunity of again lightening our loads by sending on board some more of the baggage and the light cart. This, by decreasing the number of our teams, would, I thought, enable me to change the horses occasionally in the others, and give me an extra man to assist in clearing a road through the scrub, Having completed my arrangements, I sent on the Waterwitch to the north-east part of Denial Bay, to land water there, as I did not expect to get any until our arrival at Point Peter. Mr. Scott accompanied the cutter, having expressed a wish to take a trip in her for a few days.
During the forenoon we were visited by a party of natives, who came to get water at the hole in the sand. They were not much alarmed, and soon became very friendly, remaining near us all night; from them I learned that there was no water inland, and none along the coast for two days’ journey, after which we should come to plenty, at a place called by them “Beelimah Gaip-pe;.” Their language was nearly the same as that of Port Lincoln, intermixed with a few words in use at King George’s Sound, and I now regretted greatly that I had not the Western Australian native with me.
I found a most singular custom prevailing40 among the natives of this part of the country, which I had never found to exist anywhere else (except at Port Lincoln), and the origin of which it would be most difficult to account for. In various parts of Australia some of the tribes practise the rite of circumcision, whilst others do not; but in the Port Lincoln peninsula, and along the coast to the westward, the natives not only are circumcised, but have in addition another most extraordinary ceremonial. 24 Among the party of natives at the camp I examined many, and all had been operated upon. The ceremony with them seemed to have taken place between the ages of twelve and fourteen years, for several of the boys of that age had recently undergone the operation, the wounds being still fresh and inflamed41. This extraordinary and inexplicable42 custom must have a great tendency to prevent the rapid increase of the population; and its adoption43 may perhaps be a wise ordination44 of Providence45, for that purpose, in a country of so desert and arid46 a character as that which these people occupy.
24 Finditus usque ad urethram a parte infera penis.
November 10. — Getting the party away about five o’clock this morning, I persuaded one of the natives, named “Wilguldy,” an intelligent cheerful old man, to accompany us as a guide, and as an inducement, had him mounted on a horse, to the great admiration47 and envy of his fellows, all of whom followed us on foot, keeping up in a line with the dray through the scrub, and procuring48 their food as they went along, which consisted of snakes, lizards49, guanas, bandicoots, rats, wallabies, etc. etc. and it was surprising to see the apparent ease with which, in merely walking across the country, they each procured51 an abundant supply for the day.
In one place in the scrub we came to a large circular mound52 of sand, about two feet high, and several yards in circumference53; this they immediately began to explore, carefully throwing away the sand with their hands from the centre, until they had worked down to a deep narrow hole, round the sides of which, and embedded55 in the sand, were four fine large eggs of a delicate pink colour, and fully20 the size of a goose egg. I had often seen these hills before, but did not know that they were nests, and that they contained so valuable a prize to a traveller in the desert. The eggs were presented to me by the natives, and when cooked were of a very rich and delicate flavour. The nest was that of a wild pheasant, (Leipoa), a bird of the size of a hen pheasant of England, and greatly resembling it in appearance and plumage; these birds are very cautious and shy, and run rapidly through the underwood, rarely flying unless when closely pursued. The shell of the egg is thin and fragile, and the young are hatched entirely56 by the heat of the sun, scratching their way out as soon as they are born, at which time they are able to shift for themselves. 25
25 For a
Our road to-day was through a heavy sandy country, covered for the most part densely57 with the eucalyptus and tea-tree. About eleven we struck the south-east corner of Denial Bay, and proceeded on to the north-east, where I had appointed the cutter to meet me. To my surprise she was not to be seen anywhere, and I began to get anxious about our supply of water for the horses, as we were entirely dependant58 upon her for it. In the afternoon I observed the vessel rounding into the south-east bight of the bay, and was obliged to send my overseer on horseback a long ride round the bay, to tell the master to send us water to the place of our encampment. He had been to the island of St. Peter yesterday looking for birds’ eggs, and having neglected to take advantage of a fair wind, was not now able to get the cutter up to us. The water had consequently to be brought in the boat a distance of eight miles through a heavy sea, and at considerable risk. Mr. Scott, who came with the master in the boat, returned on board again in the evening. Our stage to-day had been eighteen miles, and the horses were both tired and thirsty. The small supply of water brought us in the boat being insufficient59 for them, we again were obliged to watch them at night.
further account of the LEIPOA, vide CHAPTER III. of Notes on the Aborigines.
November 11. — Guided by our friend “Wilguldy,” we cut off all the corners and bends of the coast, and steering60 straight for “Beelimah Gaippe,” arrived there about noon, after a stage of twelve miles; the road was harder and more open, but still in places we had to pass through a very dense brush. The water to which the native took us was procured by digging about four feet deep, in a swamp behind the coast hummocks, which were here high and bare, and composed of white sand. The water was abundant and good, and the grass tolerable, so that I determined61 to remain a day to rest and recruit the horses; it was so rarely that we had the opportunity of procuring both grass and water. The dogs killed a kangaroo, which enabled us to give our guide an abundant feast of food, to which he had been accustomed; but to do the old man justice, I must say he was not very scrupulous62 about his diet, for he ate readily of any thing that we offered him.
After we had encamped some more natives came up and joined us from the vicinity of Point Peter, which lay a few miles to the east of us; they were known to those who had accompanied us, and were very friendly and well conducted. To many inquiries63 about water inland, they all assured me that there was none to be found in that direction; but said that there was water further along the coast called “Berinyana gaippe,” and only one day’s journey from our present encampment.
November 12. — I sent the overseer this morning to communicate with the cutter, and to request the master to fill up as much water as he could, preparatory to our moving onwards to Fowler’s Bay. In the evening the overseer returned, accompanied by Mr. Scott, to acquaint me that the water near Point Peter was a considerable distance from the vessel; and that it would be impracticable to fill up all the casks, with no other means than they had at command.
I took the sun’s altitude, at noon, for latitude65; but the day was windy, and the mercury shook so much that I could not depend upon the observation within three or four miles. It gave nearly 32 degrees 10 seconds S. which I thought too much to the northward66. The sun set by compass W. 24 1/2 degrees S.
November 13. — Guided by the natives, we moved onward64 through a densely scrubby country, and were again obliged to keep the men with axes constantly at work, in advance of the drays to clear the road. Our progress was necessarily slow, and the work very harassing to the horses; fortunately the stage was not a very long one, and in fourteen miles we reached “Berinyana gaippe,” a small hole dug by the natives, amongst the sand hummocks of the coast, a little north of Point Bell. By enlarging this a little, we procured water in great abundance and of excellent quality. Our course had been generally west by south; and from our camp, the eastern extreme of Point Bell, bore S. 28 degrees W., and the centre of the “Purdies Islands” E. 49 degrees S.
November 14. — Upon moving on this morning, we were obliged to keep more to the north to avoid some salt lakes and low swamps near the coast. The natives still accompanied us through a very sandy and scrubby country to a watering place among some sand hills, which they called “Wademar gaippe.” Here we encamped early, after a stage of ten miles, and were enabled to procure abundance of good water, at a depth of about four feet below the surface.
There was a large sheet of salt water near our camp which seemed to be an inlet of the sea, and after a hasty dinner I walked down to examine it. The water generally appeared shallow, but in some places it was very deep; after tracing it for five miles, and going round one end of it, I found no junction67 with the sea, though the fragments of shells and other marine68 remains, clearly shewed that there must have been a junction at no very remote period. The sand hummocks between the lake and the sea being very high, I ascended69 them to take bearings, and then returning to the lake halted, with the black boy who had accompanied me, to bathe, and rest ourselves. The weather was most intensely hot, and our walk had been long and fatiguing70, amongst sand hills under a noonday sun. We fully appreciated the luxury of a swim, and especially as we were lucky enough to find a hole of fresh water on the edge of the lake, to slake71 our parching72 thirst. Ducks, teal, and pigeons were numerous, and the recent traces of natives apparent everywhere. It was after sunset when we returned, tired and weary, to our camp.
November 15. — In the morning we started as early as possible to get the stage over before the great heat of the day came on, still accompanied and guided by the friendly natives, who took us through the best and most open line of country. At six miles we entered a very dense scrub, leaving to the north of us, several patches of open plains; to the north-east were seen the smokes of several fires. The natives had told us that there was water out in that direction, at a short day’s journey; but, as they did not wish us to go to it, I inferred that they thought there was not enough to satisfy our party, having now frequently seen how great was the supply we required at each encampment. I was myself of the opinion that a hole probably existed to the north-east similar to the one we had found in the plains behind Point Brown, where the access is difficult, and the quantity procurable73 at any one time not very great. The scrub we had traversed to-day was principally of salt-water tea-tree, growing upon a succession of steep sandy ridges, which presented a formidable barrier to the progress of the drays; the distance to be accomplished74 was not above fourteen miles; but so difficult was the nature of the country, and so oppressive the heat, that, notwithstanding our very early start, it was four o’clock in the afternoon before we arrived at the place of destination, which was called by the natives, “Mobeela gaippe.” The horses and men were greatly fatigued, but for the latter, the labours of the day were far from being over, for, upon arriving at the place where the water was to be procured, I found that the holes, sunk by the natives, were through ridges of a loose sand to a depth of fourteen or fifteen feet, at the bottom of which, water was obtained in very small quantities. There were several of these holes still open, and the traces of many others in every direction around, which had either fallen in or been filled up by the drifting of the sand. These singular wells, although sunk through a loose sand to a depth of fourteen or fifteen feet, were only about two feet in diameter at the bore, quite circular, carried straight down, and the work beautifully executed. To get at the water, the natives placed a long pole against one side of the well, ascending75 and descending76 by it to avoid friction77 against the sides, which would have inevitably78 sent the sand tumbling in upon them. We, however, who were so much clumsier in all our movements, could not make use of the same expedient79, nor indeed, would the size of the wells, made by the natives, have enabled us even with their assistance, to get out a moderate supply for the horses. It became necessary, therefore, to open a new well, of much larger dimensions, a task of no easy kind in so loose a sand.
Having put the overseer and men to their arduous employment, I ascended the highest of the sand hills, and took a set of angles, among which Point Fowler bore W. 16 degrees S. and Point Bell, E. 40 degrees S.
A small lake was visible at W. 40 degrees N. The country still looked very cheerless in every direction, and no signs of improvement appeared to relieve the dreary80 scene around, or to lead me to hope for better country beyond.
Upon rejoining the well diggers, I found after great exertions they had thrown out an immense quantity of sand, and made a large and commodious81 well, and were just going to commence watering the horses; at this juncture82 and before a single bucket of water could be taken out, the sand slipped, and the sides of the well tumbled in, nearly burving alive the man who was at the bottom. The labour of two hours was lost, and tired as they were, the men had to begin their work afresh. It was eight at night before the well was cleared out again sufficiently83 to enable us to water the horses, for almost as fast as the sand was thrown out other sand fell in; by nine the whole of them had received two buckets of water each, when the sides of the well again shot in, and we were obliged to give up our digging operations altogether, as the men were completely exhausted; to relieve them Mr. Scott and I watched the horses during the night.
November 16. — Intending to remain in camp to-day, I set the men to clear out the well once more. It was a tedious and laborious84 task, in consequence of the banks of sand falling in so repeatedly, and frustrating85 all their efforts, but at last by sinking a large cask bored full of auger86 holes we contrived87 about one o’clock, to get all the horses and sheep watered; in the evening, however, the whole again fell in, and we gave up, in despair, the hopeless attempt to procure any further supply of water, under such discouraging circumstances.
For some days past, we had been travelling through a country in which the Mesembryanthemum grows in the greatest abundance, it was in full fruit, and constituted a favourite and important article of food among the native population; all our party partook of it freely, and found it both a wholesome and an agreeable addition to their fare; when ripe, the fruit is rich, juicy, and sweet, of about the size of a gooseberry. In hot weather it is most grateful and refreshing88. I had often tasted this fruit before, but never until now liked it; in fact, I never in any other part of Australia, saw it growing in such abundance, or in so great perfection, as along the western coast. During our stay in camp a native had been sent out to call some of the other natives, and towards evening a good many came up, and were all regularly introduced to us by ‘Wilguldy’ and the others, who had been with us so long; I gave them a feast of rice which they appeared to enjoy greatly. Our more immediate54 friends and guides had learnt to drink tea, and eat meat and damper, with which we supplied them liberally, in return for the valuable services they rendered us.
November 17. — Moving on early, we were guided by the natives for about twelve miles, round the head of Fowler’s Bay, crossing through a very sandy, scrubby, and hilly country, and encamping at a water hole, dug between the sandy ridges, about two o’clock in the day. I had ridden a little in advance of the party, and arriving at the water first, surprised some women and children encamped there, and very busily engaged in roasting snakes and lizards over a fire. They were much afraid and ran away on seeing me, leaving their food upon the embers, this our friendly guides unceremoniously seized upon and devoured89, as soon as they came up with the drays. These few women were the first we had seen for some time, as the men appeared to keep them studiously out of our way, and it struck me that this might be in consequence of the conduct of the whalers or sealers with whom they might have come in contact on the coast. Old Wilguldy, however, appeared to be less scrupulous on this point, and frequently made very significant offers on the subject.
Soon after we had encamped several natives came up and joined those with us. They were exceedingly polite and orderly — indeed the best conducted, most obliging natives I ever met with — never troubling or importuning90 for any thing, and not crowding around in that unmannerly disagreeable manner, which savages92 frequently adopt — nor did I ever find any of them guilty of theft; on the contrary, several times when we had left some article behind, they called to us, and pointed10 it out. To them we were indebted for the facilities we had enjoyed in obtaining water; for without their guidance, we could never have removed from any encampment without previously93 ascertaining94 where the next water could be procured; and to have done this would have caused us great delay, and much additional toil. By having them with us we were enabled to move with confidence and celerity; and in following their guidance we knew that we were taking that line of route which was the shortest, and the best practicable under the circumstances. Upon arriving at any of the watering places to which they had conducted us, they always pointed out the water, and gave it up to us entirely, no longer looking upon it as their own, and literally95 not taking a drink from it themselves when thirsty, without first asking permission from us. Surely this true politeness — this genuine hospitality of the untutored savage91, may well put to the blush, for their exclusiveness and illiberality96, his more civilised brethren. In how strong a light does such simple kindness of the inhabitant of the wilds to Europeans travelling through his country (when his fears are not excited or his prejudices violated,) stand contrasted with the treatment he experiences from them when they occupy his country, and dispossess him of his all.
There were now a considerable number of natives with us, all of whom had been subjected to the singular ceremony before described. Those we had recently met with, had, in addition, a curious brand, or mark on the stomach, extending above and below the navel, and produced by the application of fire. I had previously noticed a similar mark in use among one or two tribes high up on the Murray River, (South Australia,) and which is there called “Renditch.” At the latter place, however, the brand was on the breast, here it was on the stomach. I have never been able to account in any way for the origin or meaning of this mark; but it is doubtless used as a feature of distinction, or else why should it only be found in one or two tribes and so far apart, had it been accidental or arisen from lying near or upon the fires in cold weather, every individual of certain tribes would not have been affected97, and some individuals of every tribe would: now, the first, as far as my experience enabled me to judge, is the case; but the latter most assuredly is not. Both at the Murray, and near Fowler’s Bay, the natives always told me, that the marks were made by fire, though how, or for what purpose, I could never learn at either place.
November 18. — Our horses being all knocked up, and many of them having their shoulders severely98 galled99 by the racking motion of the drays winding100 up and down the heavy sandy ridges, or in and out of the dense scrubs, I determined to remain for some time in depot101 to recover them, whilst I reconnoitred the country to the west, as far as the head of the great Australian Bight. To leave my party in the best position I could, I sent the overseer round Point Fowler to see if there was any better place for the horses in that direction, and to communicate with the master of the Waterwitch on the subject of landing our stores. Upon the overseer’s return, he reported that there was fresh water under Point Fowler, but very little grass; that he had not been able to communicate with the cutter, the wind being unfavourable and violent, and the cutter’s boat on board, but they had noticed him, and shewn their colours; he said, moreover, that the vessel was lying in a very exposed situation, and did not appear at all protected by Point Fowler, which, as she was not well found in ground-tackle, might possibly occasion her being driven ashore102, if a gale103 came on from the south-east. This news was by no means satisfactory, and I became anxious to get our things all landed that the cutter might go to a place of greater safety.
November 19. — The wind still being unfavourable, the day was spent in removing the drays, tents, etc. to a more elevated situation. Our camp had been on the low ground, near the water, in the midst of many scrubby hills, all of which commanded our position. There were now a great many well armed natives around us, and though they were very kind and friendly, I did not like the idea of their occupying the acclivities immediately above us — at all events, not during my contemplated104 absence from the party. I therefore had every thing removed to the hill next above them, and was a good deal amused at the result of this manoeuvre105, for they seemed equally as uneasy as we had been at the heights above them being occupied. In a very short time they also broke up camp, and took possession of the next hill beyond us. This defeated the object I had in view in our former removal, and I now determined not to be out-manoeuvred any more, but take up our position on the highest hill we could find. This was a very scrubby one, but by a vigorous application of the axes for an hour or two, we completely cleared its summit; and then taking up the drays, tent, baggage, etc. we occupied the best and most commanding station in the neighbourhood. The result of this movement was, that during the day the natives all left, and went in the direction of where the cutter was. I was not sorry for their departure; for although they had been very friendly and useful to us, yet now that I contemplated keeping the party for a long time in camp, and should myself probably be a considerable time absent, I was more satisfied at the idea of the natives being away, than otherwise; not that I thought there was the least danger to be apprehended106 from them if they were properly treated; but the time of my men would be much occupied in attending to the horses and sheep; and they were too few in number, to admit of much of that time being taken up in watching the camp or the natives who might be near it; for I always deemed it necessary, as a mere50 matter of prudence107, to keep a strict look out when any natives were near us, however friendly they might profess108 to be.
Upon walking round the shores of Fowler’s Bay, I found them literally strewed109 in all directions with the bones and carcases of whales, which had been taken here by the American ship I saw at Port Lincoln, and had been washed on shore by the waves. To judge from the great number of these remains, of which very many were easily recognisable as being those of distinct animals, the American must have had a most fortunate and successful season.
It has often surprised me, that the English having so many colonies and settlements on the shores of Australia, should never think it worth their while to send whalers to fish off its coasts, where the whales are in such great numbers, and where the bays and harbours are so numerous and convenient, for carrying on this lucrative110 employment. I believe scarcely a single vessel fishes any where off these coasts, which are entirely monopolised by the French and Americans, who come in great numbers; there cannot, I think, be less than three hundred foreign vessels annually111 whaling off the coasts, and in the seas contiguous to our possessions in the Southern Ocean. I have generally met with a great many French and American vessels in the few ports or bays that I have occasionally been at on the southern coast of Australia; and I have no doubt that they all reap a rich harvest.
Among the many relics112 strewed around Fowler’s Bay, I found the shell of a very large turtle laying on the beach; it had been taken by the crew of the vessel that I met at Port Lincoln, and could not have weighed less than three to four hundred weight. I was not previously aware that turtle was ever found so far to the southward, and had never seen the least trace of them before.
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embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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rite
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| n.典礼，惯例，习俗 | |
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abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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12
hummocks
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| n.小丘，岗( hummock的名词复数 ) | |
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13
eucalyptus
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| n.桉树，桉属植物 | |
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14
limestone
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| n.石灰石 | |
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15
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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16
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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18
scooping
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| n.捞球v.抢先报道( scoop的现在分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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19
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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20
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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21
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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22
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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23
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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24
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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25
densest
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| 密集的( dense的最高级 )； 密度大的； 愚笨的； （信息量大得）难理解的 | |
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26
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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27
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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28
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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29
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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30
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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31
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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32
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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33
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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34
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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35
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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36
jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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37
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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38
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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39
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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41
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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43
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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44
ordination
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| n.授任圣职 | |
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45
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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46
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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47
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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48
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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49
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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50
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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51
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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52
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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53
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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54
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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embedded
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| a.扎牢的 | |
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56
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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57
densely
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| ad.密集地；浓厚地 | |
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58
dependant
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| n.依靠的，依赖的，依赖他人生活者 | |
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59
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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60
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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61
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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62
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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64
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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65
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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67
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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68
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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69
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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71
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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72
parching
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| adj.烘烤似的，焦干似的v.（使）焦干， （使）干透( parch的现在分词 )；使（某人）极口渴 | |
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73
procurable
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| adj.可得到的，得手的 | |
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74
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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75
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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76
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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77
friction
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| n.摩擦，摩擦力 | |
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78
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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79
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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80
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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81
commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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82
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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83
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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84
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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85
frustrating
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| adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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86
auger
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| n.螺丝钻，钻孔机 | |
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87
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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88
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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89
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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90
importuning
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| v.纠缠，向（某人）不断要求( importune的现在分词 )；（妓女）拉（客） | |
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91
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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92
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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93
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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94
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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95
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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96
illiberality
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| n.吝啬，小气 | |
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97
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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98
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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99
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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100
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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101
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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102
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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103
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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104
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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105
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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106
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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107
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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108
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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109
strewed
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| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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110
lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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111
annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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112
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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