This fact was also obvious both to Mr. Stuart and myself in the tribe on Cooper’s Creek, in which the number of female children greatly exceeded that of the male, though there were more adult men than women. The personal appearance of the men of this tribe, as I have already stated, was exceedingly prepossessing — they were well made and tall, and notwithstanding that my long-legged friend was an ugly fellow, were generally good looking. Their children in like manner were in good condition and appeared to be larger than I had remarked elsewhere, but with the women no improvement was to be seen. Thin, half-starved and emaciated9 they were still made to bear the burden of the work, and while the men were lounging about their fires, and were laughing and talking, the women were ceaselessly hammering and pounding to prepare that meat, of which, from their appearance, so small a proportion fell to their share. As regards the treatment of their women, however, I think I have observed that they are subjected to harsher treatment when they are members of a large tribe than when fewer are congregated10 together. Both parents are very fond of and indulgent to their children, and there is no surer way of gaining the assistance of the father, or of making a favourable11 impression on a tribe than by noticing the children.
I think that generally speaking the native women seldom have more than four children, or if they have, few above that number arrive at the age of puberty. There are, however, several reasons why the women are not more prolific12; the principal of which is that they suckle their young for such a length of time, and so severe a task is it with them to rear their offspring that the child is frequently destroyed at its birth; and however revolting to us such a custom may be, it is now too notorious a fact to be disputed.
The voices of the natives, generally speaking, are soft, especially those of the women. They are also a merry people and sit up laughing and talking all night long. It is this habit, and the stars so constantly passing before their eyes, which enables them to know when they are likely to have rain or cold weather, as they will point to any star and tell you that when it shall get up higher then the weather will be cold or hot.
These primitive13 people have peculiar14 customs and ceremonies in their intercourse15 with strangers, and on first meeting preserve a most painful silence; whether this arises from diffidence or some other feeling it is difficult to say, but it is exceedingly awkward; but, however awkward or embarrassing it may be, there can be no doubt as to the policy and necessity of respecting it. The natives certainly do not allow strangers to pass through their territory without permission first obtained, and their passions and fears are both excited when suddenly intruded16 upon. To my early observation of this fact, and to my forbearing any forced interview, but giving them time to recover from the surprise into which my presence had thrown them, I attribute my success in avoiding any hostile collision. I am sure, indeed, whatever instances of violence and murder may be recorded of them, they are naturally a mild and inoffensive people.
It is a remarkable17 fact that we seldom or ever saw weapons in the hands of any of the natives of the interior, such as we did see were similar to those ordinarily used by natives of other parts of the continent. Their implements18 were simple and rude, and consisted chiefly of troughs for holding water or seeds, rush bags, skins, stones, etc. The native habitations, at all events those of the natives of the interior, with the exception of the Cooper’s Creek tribe, had huts of a much more solid construction than those of the natives of the Murray or the Darling, although some of their huts were substantially built also. Those of the interior natives however were made of strong boughs19 with a thick coating of clay over leaves and grass. They were entirely20 impervious21 to wind and rain, and were really comfortable, being evidently erections of a permanent kind to which the inhabitants frequently returned. Where there were villages these huts were built in rows, the front of one hut being at the back of the other, and it appeared to be a singular but universal custom to erect22 a smaller hut at no great distance from the large ones, but we were unable to detect for what purpose they were made, unless it was to deposit their seeds; as they were too small even for children to inhabit. At the little hut to the north of the ranges, from which the reader will recollect23 we twice frightened away a poor native, we found a very large spear, apparently24 for a canoe, which I brought to the camp. This spear could not possibly have been used as a weapon, for it was too heavy, but on shewing it subsequently to some natives, they did not intimate that it was a canoe spear.
It may be thought that having been in the interior for so many months I ought to have become acquainted with many of the customs and habits of the people inhabiting it, but it will have been seen that they seldom came near us.
The custom of circumcision generally prevailed, excepting with the Cooper’s Creek tribe, but you would meet with a tribe with which that custom did not prevail, between two with which it did.
As regards their food, it varies with the season. That which they appeared to me to use in the greatest abundance were seeds of various kinds, as of grasses of several sorts, of the mesembryanthemum, of the acacia and of the box-tree; of roots and herbs, of caterpillars25 and moths26, of lizards27 and snakes, but of these there are very few. Besides these they sometimes take the emu and kangaroo, but they are never so plentiful28 as to constitute a principal article of food. They take ducks when the rains favour their frequenting the creeks29 and lagoons30, exactly as the natives of other parts of Australia do, with nets stuck up to long poles, and must procure31 a sufficiency of birds during the summer season. They also wander among the sand ridges32 immediately after a fall of rain, to hunt the jerboa and talperoo, (see Nat. Hist.,) of which they procure vast supplies; but all these sports are temporary, particularly the latter, as the moment the puddles33 dry up the natives are forced to retreat and fall back on previous means of subsistence.
With regard to their language, it differed in different localities, though all had words common to each respectively. My friend Mr. Eyre states, that they have not any generic34 name for anything, as tree, fish, bird; but in this, as far as the fish goes, I think he is mistaken, for the old man who visited our camp before the rains, and who so much raised our hopes, certainly gave them a generic name; for placing his fingers on such fish as he recognised, he distinctly mentioned their specific name, but when he put his fingers on such as he did not recognise, he said “Guia, Guia, Guia,” successively after each, evidently intending to include them under the one name. With respect to their religious impressions, if I may so call them, I believe they have none. The only impression they have is of an evil spirit, but however melancholy35 the fact, it is no less true that the aborigines of Australia have no idea of a superintending Providence36.
In conclusion: I have spoken of Mr. Browne and Mr. Piesse throughout my narrative37, in terms such as I feel they deserved. I should be sorry to close its pages without also recording38 the valuable and cheerful assistance I received from Mr. Stuart, whose zeal39 and spirit were equally conspicuous40, and whose labour at the charts did him great credit. To Flood I was indebted for having my horses in a state fit for service, than whom as a person in charge of stock, I could not have had a better; and I cannot but speak well of all the men in their respective capacities, as having always displayed a willingness to bear with me, when ever I called on them to do so, the fatigues41 and exposure incidental to such a service as that on which I was employed.
Before closing my narrative I would make a few observations on the conduct of such an Expedition as the one the details of which I have just been giving.
It appears to me then that discipline is the first and principal point to be considered on such occasions; unless indeed the leader be implicitly43 obeyed it is impossible that matters should go on regularly. For this reason it is objectionable to associate any irresponsible person in such an undertaking44. When I engaged the men who were to accompany me, I made them sign an agreement, giving me power to diminish or increase the rations45, and binding46 themselves not only to the performance of any particular duty, but to do everything in their power to promote the success of the service in which they were engaged, under the penalty of forfeiture47 of wages, in whole or part as I should determine. I deemed it absolutely necessary to arm myself with powers with which I could restrain my men even in the Desert, before I left the haunts of civilized48 man, although I never put these powers in force — and this appears to me to be a necessary precaution on all such occasions. Equally necessary is the establishment of a guard at night, for it is impossible to calculate on the presence of natives — they may be close at hand, when none have been seen or heard during the day. Had Dr. Leichhardt adopted this precaution his camp would not have been surprised, nor would he have lost a valuable companion. Equally necessary is it to keep the stock, whether horses or bullocks, constantly within view. In all situations where I thought it probable they might wander I had them watched all night long. Unless due precaution however is used to ensure their being at hand when wanted, they are sure to wander and give ceaseless trouble.
As regards the consumption of provisions, I had both a weekly and a monthly statement of issues. In addition to this they were weighed monthly and their loss ascertained49, and their consumption regulated accordingly, and I must say that I never found that the men were disposed to object to any reasonable reduction I made. I found the sheep I took with me were admirable stock, but I was always aware that an unforeseen accident might deprive me of them, and indeed they called for more watchful50 care even than the other stock. The men at the Depot51 were never without their full allowance of mutton. It was only the parties out on distant and separate services who were reduced to an allowance scarcely sufficient to do their work upon.
The attention of a Leader is no less called to all these minutiae52 than his eye and judgment53 to the nature of the country in which he may happen to be. I would observe that in searching for water along the dry channel of a creek, he should watch for the slightest appearance of a creek junction54, for water is more frequently found in these lateral55 branches, however small they may at first appear to be, than in the main creek itself, and I would certainly recommend a close examination of them. The explorer will ever find the gum-tree in the neighbour hood56 of water, and if he should ever traverse such a country as that into which I went, and should discover creeks as I did losing themselves on plains, he should never despair of recovering their channels again. They invariably terminate in grassy57 plains, and until he sees such before him he may rest assured that their course continues. Should the traveller be in a country in which water is scarce it will be better for him to stop at any he may find, although early in the day, than to go on in the chance of being without all night, and so entailing58 fatigue42 on his men.
I trust that what I have said of the natives renders it unnecessary for me to add anything as to the caution and forbearance required in communicating with them. Kindness gains much on them, and their friendly disposition59 eases the mind of a load of anxiety — for however confident the Leader may be, it is impossible to divest60 the minds of the men of apprehension61 when in the presence of hostile natives. He who shall have perused62 these pages will have learnt that under whatever difficulties he may be placed, that although his last hope is almost extinguished, he should never despair. I have recorded instances enough of the watchful superintendence of that Providence over me and my party, without whose guidance we should have perished, nor can I more appropriately close these humble63 sheets, than by such an acknowledgment, and expressing my fervent64 thanks to Almighty65 God for the mercies vouchsafed66 to me during the trying and doubtful service on which I was employed.
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1
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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8
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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18
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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caterpillars
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| n.毛虫( caterpillar的名词复数 )；履带 | |
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moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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lagoons
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| n.污水池( lagoon的名词复数 )；潟湖；（大湖或江河附近的）小而浅的淡水湖；温泉形成的池塘 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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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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puddles
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| n.水坑， （尤指道路上的）雨水坑( puddle的名词复数 ) | |
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generic
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| adj.一般的，普通的，共有的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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43
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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45
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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46
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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47
forfeiture
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| n.（名誉等）丧失 | |
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48
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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49
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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51
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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52
minutiae
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| n.微小的细节，细枝末节；（常复数）细节，小事( minutia的名词复数 ) | |
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53
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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54
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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55
lateral
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| adj.侧面的，旁边的 | |
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56
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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entailing
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| 使…成为必要( entail的现在分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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divest
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| v.脱去，剥除 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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63
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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