to the bush. I accordingly, followed by Dick Nailor,
went forward to meet our visitors, both of us, however, carrying our
guns, for we could not tell what might be their intention. They stopped
when they saw the cattle snorting and turning about, seemingly as
unwilling to draw near them as the animals were to have their company.
They seemed to be a tribe not accustomed to white men, for they did not
understand a word we spoke, nor could we what they said. We discovered,
however, that they wanted something--it was tobacco,--we gave them some.
We showed them that we were ready to be on friendly terms. They then
begged for something to drink--rum, and seemed very much astonished to
find that we had none. To my belief they had never themselves tasted
any, but had heard of the white man's fire-water from other blacks--his
curse--their destruction.

After a little time they intimated to us, so we understood them, that
there was something they wished to show to us in the bush at a little
distance. They seemed so well disposed that I did not at the time dream
of treachery. I told Dick Nailor that I would go forward and see what
they wanted to show us. Even Dick hesitated.

"They may mean well, but if they don't they will have us at terrible
advantage all alone in the woods, and they are fearfully ugly fellows to
look at, they must allow," he observed, coming up close to me, to
protect me rather than to seek protection for himself.

Still the blacks seemed so eager that we should go, and made so many
signs to us, that I was sure that there was something particular they
wished to show us. Had I been as well acquainted with them as I
afterwards became I should not have ventured. Still the greater number
of murders they have committed must be laid to the white man's charge.
They merely retaliated when treated by him with fearful cruelty and
injustice. The white man set them an example which the savages copied.
True, many of the convicts were reprobates and outcasts. Not once, but
frequently men have gone forth with fire-arms and shot down the blacks
as if they had been wild beasts. I speak of days happily gone by.

I called out to Mark to keep in the camp with the men and beasts, and
Dick and I followed the black, I repeat that it was a very unwise thing
to do.

However, on we went. I told Dick to keep his eyes about him, and his
gun ready for use.

Having camped early, there was still plenty of daylight; indeed