Narrative Of The Overland Expedition Of The Messrs. Jardine, From Rockhampton To Cape York, Northern Queensland By Frank Jardine And Alexander Jardine
- Page 36 of 205 - First - Home
These Blacks
Were Puny Wretched-Looking Creatures, And Very Thin.
They had a
great number of wild dogs with them - over thirty being counted by
the party.
10 miles, N.W. by W. 1/2 W. (Camp IX.)
'October' 19. - The confluence of Parallel Creek with the Einasleih
was reached in four miles, after which the country on the river
slightly improved; the camp was pitched four miles further on, on a
river flat, within sight of a large scrub, on the east side. Four of
the cattle that had been knocked up yesterday were sent for before
starting, and fetched - the cattle counted and found correct. The
river at the camp was about 700 yards wide, with fine waterholes in
it, containing plenty of fish. A strange discovery was made to-day.
At a native fire the fresh remains of a negro were found 'roasted',
the head and thigh bones were alone complete, all the rest of the
body and limbs had been broken up, the skull was full of blood.
Whether this was the body of an enemy cooked for food, or of a friend
disposed of after the manner of their last rites, must remain a
mystery, until the country and its denizens become better known.
Some spears were found pointed with sharp pieces of flint, fastened
on with kangaroo sinews, and the gum of the Xanthorea, or grass-tree.
(Camp X.)
'October' 20. - The last of the stony ground was travelled over
to-day, and the foot-sore cattle were able to luxuriate in the soft
sandy ground of the river flats.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 36 of 205
Words from 9662 to 9927
of 55599