h them, but at this period they would have nothing to do
with me. Their fires might still be smoking, as we beat up a camping
place, but they had left, suspicious of us. When travelling, I frequently
had grave cause to be anxious lest we should be attacked, especially at
night. Therefore, I made my men sleep a little apart from each other, in
order that, if assailed, we might at least have some warning.'

It was full day when the assault did take place; otherwise Sir George
would hardly have lived to describe it. He went back with spirit on the
details, more armour of youth to be placed in the scabbard of age. One
item held a small essay on the influences which determine human action in
a crisis of life or death. He was speaking of the feeling that seized him
when spear after spear cut into his flesh. Here was a struggle between
mind and body, each determined to conquer--a study in the inner
sanctuary; but how began the fight?

With two of his men, Sir George was on the march, notching trees by the
way, so that the rest of the party could follow. At a turn they found
themselves beset by a swarm of blacks, who had gathered in strength,
determined to act against so small a force. Not many of the warriors
could be seen at the outset, the rough ground sheltering them. But there
they were, and in a most warlike humour.

A spear clove the air, singing their menace, as they yelled it in a
hundred raucous voices. Scare shots, fired by Sir George, had no effect,
not even when an incautious warrior was winged as an object-lesson. The
Aborigines grew bolder, leaping hither and thither in the attack--evil
spirits of the bush. The sight they made, all pigments, was expressed in
the shout of one of Sir George's men, 'Good God, sir! Look at them!'

The cry rose from behind a rack, where Sir George had ordered the man and
his comrade to seek shelter. Fortunately, a series of rocks made a
natural parapet to the right, and in a degree in front. Sir George, his
gun empty at the moment, placed himself on the exposed left position. The
spears rained round him, as if they were falling from the clouds. Things
could not go on thus for long, and the natives planned to end them.

A superbly built fellow, lighter of skin than his companions, arrogant of
air, showed to the front, evidently a general in command. He clambered,
shouting the lust of battle, on to the summit of a rock, not more than
thirty yards from the spot where Sir George lay. T