t the skill he chose
to exhibit in his cookery, for he thereby delayed me for a longer time
than was agreeable, but we were all soon regaling on this native fare.

Anxious questions were put by the men as to their distance from Perth,
and the natives all told them they would see it the next morning, "whilst
the sun was still small;" and on further enquiry it turned out that a
kangaroo hunter of the name of Porley was at a hut distant only seven
miles from us, and according to the account of the natives he had a
supply of provisions with him. As soon therefore as I had a little
recruited my strength I started on with Imbat to the hut, leaving the men
to follow in company with the other natives as rapidly as their strength
would allow them. Imbat carried my gun and everything but a book or two
and my papers, which, being precious documents, I had never trusted out
of my own possession, however heavy my labours and misfortunes had been.
He moved merrily along, trying to win me from my moody thoughts by
relating all the news of the settlement both as concerned the Europeans
and natives; for like all other idle people the natives are great gossips
and really love a little scandal. Worn out from fatigue, I was rather
petulant and ill-tempered, but Imbat talked on unmindful of this, or only
laughed at me, and jeered me for it.

IMBAT'S NOTIONS.

My intentions in going on were to have everything prepared for the men on
their arrival at the hut; but when I reached it I found it deserted, the
owner having returned to Perth. I however lit a fire and laid down, Imbat
again beginning to cook, and then chattering: "What for do you who have
plenty to eat and much money walk so far away in the bush?" I felt
amazingly annoyed at this question and therefore did not answer him. "You
are thin," said he, "your shanks are long, your belly is small, you had
plenty to eat at home, why did you not stop there?" I was vexed at his
personalities, besides which it is impossible to make a native understand
our love of travel. I therefore replied, "Imbat, you comprehend nothing,
you know nothing." "I know nothing!" answered he; "I know how to keep
myself fat; the young women look at me and say, Imbat is very handsome,
he is fat. They will look at you and say, He not good, long legs, what do
you know? where is your fat? what for do you know so much if you can't
keep fat? I know how to stay at home and not to walk too far in the bush.
Where is your f