They Would Not,
However, Consent To Undergo It, But Suffered Their Beards To Be Clipped
With A Pair Of Scissors.
On being asked where their women were, they pointed to the spot, but seemed
not desirous that we should approach it.
However, in a few minutes,
a female appeared not far off, and Abaroo was dispatched to her.
Baneelon now joined with Abaroo to persuade her to come to us, telling us
she was Barangaroo, and his wife, notwithstanding he had so lately pretended
that she had left him for Colbee. At length she yielded, and Abaroo,
having first put a petticoat on her, brought her to us. But this was
the prudery of the wilderness, which her husband joined us to ridicule,
and we soon laughed her out of it. The petticoat was dropped with hesitation,
and Barangaroo stood "armed cap-a-pee in nakedness." At the request
of Baneelon, we combed and cut her hair, and she seemed pleased with
the operation. Wine she would not taste, but turned from it with disgust,
though heartily invited to drink by the example and persuasion of Baneelon.
In short, she behaved so well, and assumed the character of gentleness
and timidity to such advantage, that had our acquaintance ended here,
a very moderate share of the spirit of travelling would have sufficed
to record, that amidst a horde of roaming savages, in the desert wastes
of New South Wales, might be found as much feminine innocence, softness,
and modesty (allowing for inevitable difference of education),
as the most finished system could bestow, or the most polished circle produce.
So little fitted are we to judge of human nature at once!
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 72 of 247
Words from 19243 to 19522
of 66960
