graver elders sat in a circle, and discussed
the present state of affairs. All were delighted
to see me, and each group offered to
share their fire and provisions with the “ white
visitor,” as they termed me.
The next morning these auxiliary forces
were seen descending the hills to our village;
and, in order to return the compliment, we
all went in our best array to receive them.
There were upwards of two hundred athletic,
naked savages, each armed with his firelock,
and marching with the utmost regularity.
The chiefs took the lead. The alarm such a
sight might have created, was dissipated by
the certainty that they came as our protectors.
I even imagined their countenances were not
so ferocious as usual; but as they approached
near to our party, the usual sham fight began,
accompanied by the war dance, and although
1 expected it, and indeed had come for the
purpose of witnessing it, it was conducted
with so much fury on both sides, that at
length I became quite horrified, and for some
time could not divest myself of the feeling
that our visitors were playing false, so closely
did this mock combat resemble a real one.
The dreadful noises, the hideous faces, the
screeching of the women, and the menacing
gestures of each party, were so calculated to
inspire terror, that stouter hearts than mine
might have felt fear. When the tumult sub-
sided, the elder chiefs squatted down, and
had the long talk usual on these occasions.
I was much delighted to recognise among
these chiefs, one I had known at Sydney.
During his residence in that city, I had permitted
him to remain in my house, and the
few presents which he had requested on his
return to his own country I had provided
him with, and sent him off delighted and
happy, and never expected to behold him
again. The moment I approached he recollected
me, jumped up from the “ council,”
ran up to me, hugged me in his arms, and
rubbed noses so forcibly with me that I felt
his friendship for some time, besides being
daubed all over most plentifully with. red
ochre, which he, being then on a warlike and
ceremonious visit, was smeared with from head
to foot.