t indeed took the cup and filled his mouth with water, but
instead of swallowing it, threw his head into Colbee's bosom, spit the
water upon him and, immediately after, began to suck strongly at his
breast, just below the nipple. I concluded that the man was sick; and
called to the governor to observe the strange place which he had chosen to
exonerate his stomach. The silent attention observed by the other
natives, however, soon convinced us that something more than merely
the accommodation of Yellomundee, was intended. The ceremony was again
performed; and, after having sucked the part for a considerable time, the
operator pretended to receive something in his mouth, which was drawn from
the breast. With this he retired a few paces, put his hand to his lips and
threw into the river a stone, which I had observed him to pick up slily,
and secrete. When he returned to the fireside, Colbee assured us that
he had received signal benefit from the operation; and that this second
Machaon had extracted from his breast two splinters of a spear by which
he had been formerly wounded. We examined the part, but it was smooth and
whole, so that to the force of imagination alone must be imputed both the
wound and its cure. Colbee himself seemed nevertheless firmly persuaded
that he had received relief, and assured us that Yellomundee was a
'caradyee', or 'Doctor of renown'. And Boladeree added that not only he but
all the rest of his tribe were 'caradyee' of especial note and skill.
The Doctors remained with us all night, sleeping before the fire in the
fullness of good faith and security. The little boy slept in his father's
arms, and we observed that whenever the man was inclined to shift his
position, he first put over the child, with great care, and then turned
round to him.
Friday, April 15th, 1791. The return of light aroused us to the repetition
of toil. Our friends breakfasted with us, and previous to starting
Gombeeree gave a specimen of their manner of climbing trees in quest of
animals. He asked for a hatchet and one of ours was offered to him, but he
preferred one of their own making. With this tool he cut a small notch in
the tree he intended to climb, about two feet and a half above the ground,
in which he fixed the great toe of his left foot, and sprung upwards, at
the same time embracing the tree with his left arm. In an instant he had
cut a second notch for his right toe on the other side of the tree into
which he s
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