Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/237

 219 as if there were no such inhabitants in this part of the country.

Thursday.—Rode down to Perth. On my way kept a good look out for natives. At one place seeing a dark object, skulking (as it were) from bush to bush, I came to a "stand still" of observation. My hand was on my pistol, and my heart "was in my mouth," when out started a great emu, to my great satisfaction.

The natives in summer set fire to the grass and dry herbage for the purpose of their hunting, and after the fire has passed over the ground, you could hardly find as much green food as would feed a rabbit, till the herbage has time to grow again. Over the hills the grants in that locality are less burned, being less frequented by white or black people. The climate, I should think, is rather moister there, for I hear of their having green grass throughout the summer. Few sorts here remain green, but it is surprising how soon all grass shoots out again when a little moisture comes; and some sorts spring up in an incredibly short time even after the greatest fires.

Wednesday, 26th.—I have just returned from Perth. There is little news by the Merope. We have a strange rumour afloat, of which no one can trace the origin, namely, that our Governor, Sir James Stirling, has been lost in a vessel which was wrecked in the Channel. They expected to find him here.

Very bad harvests in Van Diemen's Land; no assistance to be expected from that quarter. It is thought that one detachment of the 63rd will proceed to India by this vessel.

Friday, 28th.—Was obliged to send my sheep back again to the Edwards, not being able to keep them on my own grant, which has been so recently burnt. A native dog killed six chickens last night and almost killed the mother. They are a sad nuisance, like foxes. One of them in daylight to-day killed four geese of Edwards. I must try to make away