Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/128

 the lake were too boggy for them to go in. We did not finish till 9

13th. Bullocks having again strayed we spelled on the 13th. Mr. McKinlay and Mr. Hodgkinson went out scouting, and returned about 4

14th. Lake "Siva," named after the fierce camel, or "Perigundi" Lake, the native name. In the afternoon natives, both men and women, came to our camp, and were curious to see anything there; but on their departure we discovered that an axe was missing.

15th. This evening the watch (which was regularly kept) was surprised by a native coming to the camp alone; and what, reader, would you imagine was the cause of his midnight trip? Only to bring back the axe that one of his tribe had stolen. The old man then quietly took leave, saying he would return in the morning. His name was Mooticlina, esto perpetua! Henceforth we must not say that there is no honour among the aborigines.

16th. In the morning some natives came near the camp, and presently the old man arrived. Mr. McKinlay gave the women some beads and fishhooks, which pleased them much; to the old man for his honesty a tomahawk, a thing more prized by these children of the desert than any other. Started, passing north-west of lake. Cleared the