Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/240

 222 crows on the wheat ground * * * The process of cleaning wheat for sowing is very tedious—perhaps not more than three bushels per day is cleaned by means of the drake sieve. I shall try to make a screen on a small scale. I have about eight acres of wheat now sown, and about four acres of land ready for being sown. I am busy making ready a piece of ground for the mixed clover and grass seeds which you forwarded; what you sent heretofore is looking well—when it grew on a suitable soil.

24th.—Plagued all day with natives coming to get wheat ground. Made two of them useful in shooting at crows, and in the evening they brought me a duck which they had shot. * * * Capt. Ellis, Superintendent of Natives, came here this evening in search of some delinquents among them; but though three of them were actually here at the time, he did not succeed in taking any. He intends to try and take Weeip to-night; perhaps this might keep them off us for a little.

June 25th.—Capt. Ellis has taken the natives Beelyimerra and Geear prisoners, and carried them to Perth to the great discomfiture of the other natives. Two of them have been with me all day, Tomghin and Winat. The former has made himself useful in the kitchen cleaning knives, sawing wood, etc. The latter went with me to shoot ducks and made himself very useful also. I got a brace, and my native friend Bolatman shot one yesterday, so that we have a very acceptable supply of fresh meat. Tomghin has begged to be allowed to stay here to-night, and is amusing the party in the kitchen by imitating "white men dance."

Thursday, 26th.—Had several men out all day searching in vain for my bullocks. They have joined Mr. Bull's herd, as I have now been informed * * * We have been much amused with Tomghin in the kitchen. After cleaning some brass candlesticks, a very dirty iron one was given him. He said it was "ugly old man." Lost a lamb last night, which was carried off by native dogs. A ewe and lamb are out