Page:Papers of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861–1895.pdf/151



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

By J.M. Clifton.

Two exciting attempts made by the aborigines to slaughter the white people en masse are worth noting. Many years after its founding when Roebourne was a small settlement on the Harding at the foot of Mt. Welcome, the natives at Nicol Bay planned a general attack. They were to throw lighted fire sticks on the thatched roofs of the stone houses and then stand by ready to spear men, women and children as they rushed out in the general confusion. Unfortunately for the black fiends a tender-hearted little native boy gave their plans away to the whites.

Another attempt was made on the DeGrey River. The invaders were invited by the natives to witness a grand koonoognoo (a corroboree). During the very spectacular performance a native fishing net was to be drawn surreptitiously around the admiring circle of whites. When the white fish were securely enmeshed they were to be speared. Again a native warned the squatter and his men and so averted a tragedy.

Samuel Lazenby, the brother in law of William Shakespeare Hall, was speared by natives when asleep. He had landed from his pearling boat and was camped on the beach when it happened. Young Lazenby and his sister went North about