These Blacks Must Have Travelled Nearly 500 Miles, For The Staaten Is Nearly 450 Miles In A Straight Line From Somerset, And Were Probably Amongst Those Who Dogged The Steps Of The Party So Perseveringly To Within 100 Miles Of Cape York, Frequently Attacking It As Described.

From their accounts it appears that the expedition owed much of its safety to their horses, of which the blacks stood in great dread.

They described minutely the disasters of the poison camp on the Batavia, particularising the fact of Frank Jardine having shot one of the poisoned horses, his favourite, with his revolver, their start on foot, and other things. From this is would appear that they closely watched and hung on to the steps of the party, though only occasionally daring to attack them; and proves that but for the unceasing and untiring vigilence of the Brothers, and their prompt action when attacked, the party would in all probability have been destroyed piece meal. The utter faithlessness, treachery, and savage nature of the northern natives is shown by their having twice attempted to surprise the settlement whilst Mr. Jardine, senior, was resident there, although they had been treated with every kindness from the first. In these encounters two of the marines were wounded, one of whom has since died from the effects, whilst others had narrow escapes, John Jardine, junr. having had a four-pronged spear whistle within two inches of his neck. Since then they have not ceased to molest the cattle, and in an encounter they wounded Mr. Scrutton.

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