Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/360

 342 have learned so much to use our language, even amongst themselves, that many young lads are scarcely able to speak their own dialect purely. I found more difficulty in conversing with the young than the old men, in their own language, on that account. They act quite as servants there, and depend very much on the settlers for food when not hunting.

There is a great natural curiosity in that neighbourhood. A tract of sand blowing, like that at Rosgul, has overwhelmed a forest, and many of the remnants of the wood may be found turned into a soft sandstone. The sand, having insinuated itself into every pore and crevice of the decomposing wood, has substituted itself in the same shape, being cemented together by calcareous matter. We dredged there one day for oysters, but without success, as we had not time to go to the proper bank.—Bought an accordion, of two octaves—the first I had seen—for 30s., or rather for a ewe lamb. I am pleased with its power of forming chords and agreeable harmony, without much trouble in learning. Had a large corroboree of natives in honour of the Governor. Blue lights and sky rockets were lighted and fired by the men of the Pelorus. The natives appeared very regardless of them. These were our amusements. Our business was not so pleasant, but, by a little dexterity of management and judicious handling, we brought matters to a tolerably satisfactory conclusion. The climate of King George's Sound is cool in summer, but I should think too cold and blustery in winter for pleasure. It would afford an excellent bathing retreat from Swan River, during the hot months of January and February.

Sunday.—I had concluded my story of travel last night. We sailed on Thursday from King George's Sound, and arrived at Fremantle on Sunday night, or Monday morning rather. On my return to Perth, I found my house nailed up, my quondam servant "Cassim" having been put in gaol in the mean time, for being concerned in a robbery. I have now hired a Bengal man, who does not understand a word I say.