At length we started off in our dug-out, the sea being perfectly calm--more particularly in the early morning, when the tide was generally with us.After several days' paddling we got into a narrow passage between a long elevated island and the main, and from there found our way into an inlet, at the head of which appeared masses of wild and rugged rocks.These rocks were, in many places, decorated with a number of crude but striking mural paintings, which were protected from the weather.The drawings Ifound represented men chiefly.My own contributions consisted of life-size sketches of my wife, myself, and Bruno.I emphasised my long hair, and also reproduced my bow and arrow.This queer "art gallery" was well lighted, and the rock smooth.We found the spot a very suitable one for camping; in fact, there were indications on all sides that the place was frequently used by the natives as a camping-ground.A considerable quantity of bark lay strewn about the ground in sheets, which material my wife told me was used by the natives as bedding.This was the first time I had known the black-fellows to use any material in this way.I also came across traces of a feast--such as empty oyster shells in very large heaps, bones of animals, &c.The waters of the inlet were exceedingly well stocked with fish; and here I saw large crayfish for the first time.I caught and roasted some, and found them very good eating.
This inlet might possibly be in the vicinity of Montague Sound, a little to the south of Admiralty Gulf.
We stayed a couple of days in this beautiful spot, and then pushed down south again, always keeping close under shelter of the islands on account of our frail craft.The seas through which we paddled were studded with innumerable islands, some rocky and barren, others covered with magnificent foliage and grass.We landed on several of these, and on one--it might have been Bigges Island--Idiscovered a high cairn or mound of stones erected on the most prominent point.Yamba told me that this structure was not the work of a native.She explained that the stones were laid too regularly.A closer examination convinced me that the cairn had been built by some European--possibly a castaway--and that at one time it had probably been surmounted by a flag-staff as a signal to passing ships.Food was very plentiful on this island, roots and yams being obtainable in great abundance.Rock wallabies were also plentiful.After leaving this island we continued our journey south, paddling only during the day, and always with the tide, and spending the night on land.By the way, whilst among the islands, I came across, at various times, many sad signs of civilisation, in the form of a lower mast of a ship, and a deck-house, a wicker-basket, empty brandy cases, and other flotsam and jetsam, which, Isupposed, had come from various wrecks.After having been absent from my home in Cambridge Gulf, two or three months, I found myself in a large bay, which I now know to be King's Sound.I had come across many tribes of natives on my way down.Some I met were on the islands on which we landed, and others on the mainland.Most of these black-fellows knew me both personally and by repute, many having been present at the great whale feast.The natives at King's Sound recognised me, and gave me a hearty invitation to stay with them at their camp.This I consented to do, and my friends then promised to set all the other tribes along the coast on the look-out for passing vessels, so that I might immediately be informed by smoke-signals when one was in sight.Not long after this came an item of news which thrilled me through and through.
One of the chiefs told me quite casually that at another tribe, some days' journey away, the chief had TWO WHITE WIVES.They had, he went on to explain, a skin and hair exactly like my own; but in spite of even this assurance, after the first shock of amazement Ifelt confident that the captives were Malays.The news of their presence among the tribe in question was a well-known fact all along the coast of King's Sound.My informant had never actually SEEN the white women, but he was absolutely certain of their existence.He added that the captives had been seized after a fight with some white men, who had come to that coast in a "big catamaran." However, I decided to go and see for myself what manner of women they were.The canoe was beached well above the reach of the tides at Cone Bay, and then, accompanied by Yamba only, I set off overland on my quest.The region of the encampment towards which I now directed my steps lies between the Lennard River and the Fitzroy.The exact spot, as near as I can fix it on the chart, is a place called Derby, at the head of King's Sound.
As we advanced the country became very rugged and broken, with numerous creeks intersecting it in every direction.Farther on, however, it developed into a rich, low-lying, park-like region, with water in abundance.To the north-west appeared elevated ranges.I came across many fine specimens of the bottle tree.The blacks encamped at Derby were aware of my coming visit, having had the news forwarded to them by means of the universal smoke-signals.
The camp described by my informant I found to be a mere collection of gunyahs, or break-winds, made of boughs, and I at once presented my "card"--the ubiquite passport stick; which never left me for a moment in all my wanderings.This stick was sent to the chief, who immediately manifested tokens of friendship towards me.
Unfortunately, however, he spoke an entirely different dialect from Yamba's; but by means of the sign language I explained to him that I wished to stay with him for a few "sleeps" (hand held to the side of the head, with fingers for numbers), and partake of his hospitality.To this he readily consented.
