Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/157

 heavy rain, and our remaining stock of bread being small, it made us anxious to keep it dry,—besides, the men were very much fatigued. We were fortunate enough to kindle a good fire before the rain came on, which was a great comfort, drenched as we all were, and we slept sound, although the ground was very wet under us. Wishing to start early, breakfasted at half past 3, and at half past 4 started; the morning cold, and the brushwood very wet; kept the native path, and at day light saw the natives a-head, six of whom soon joined our party, and were quite delighted when they recognised two of the men and myself; they gave me to understand I came there in a boat pulling, which was the case the second time I saw them; they continued increasing in number, and constantly asked me for Mr. McLeod and Dr. Simmons, by names they had been accustomed to call them; the latter appeared the favorite. After walking about half an hour, we passed a small point, where their fires were lighted, and I saw two women, of which I told the natives; which pleased them very much, psrticularly when they saw we did not go towards them. About ten minutes afterwards, one of them came to me, making signs for me to stop, which we did, after a great deal of pressing, and then gave me to understand they would take me to see the women, but to leave my men behind.

When they saw I understood them, and that our party had set down, they were perfectly satisfied, and took me about fifty yards, when I found I was amongst the women and children, amounting in number to fifty or sixty, and some fair looking, and others horrible to behold. The children were in general the finest I had seen, and