angrove swamp, for some considerable
distance, all well armed. Getting out of the swamp we came upon a
beautiful flat, and followed up a creek which Jackey said would lead up
to the camp. After getting on (keeping a good lookout) for about two
miles, Jackey doubled his pace, and all at once said with great emphasis,
"I see camp." "Well done, Jackey," I think was exclaimed by all of us at
the same moment. Jackey, still going on at a sharp pace, stopped for a
moment and said, "I not sure, I believe it is hole through tree," and
suddenly, with greater excitement than before, he exclaimed, "See two
whitefellows sit down, and camp." We were now on one side of the creek:
down the creek we went, and up on the other side in double-quick time,
and a scene presented itself. On the side of the hill, not two hundred
yards from us, were two men sitting down, looking towards us, the tent
and fire immediately behind them; and on coming up to them, two of the
most pitiable creatures imaginable were sitting down. One had sufficient
strength to get up; the other appeared to be like a man in the very last
stage of consumption. Alas! alas! they were the only two left of the
eight, the remainder having died from starvation. Whilst here we were
considering what was best to be done, when natives in great numbers were
descried watching our movements. Jackey said, "Doctor," calling me aside,
"now I tell you exactly what to do, you see those blackfellows over
there" (and in pointing to them I saw a great number, some eight hundred
yards away, peeping from behind trees) "you leave him tent, everything,
altogether there, and get the two whitefellows down to the boat quick."
Jackey was exceedingly energetic, and grave as well. Get away as quick as
possible, was resounded by all, but what was to be done--two men almost
dead to walk two or three miles. We looked over the tent, asked Carron
for what important things there were, and each laid hold of what appeared
to be of most value, the Captain taking two sextants, other parties
firearms, etc., etc. "Come along," again and again Jackey called out, and
the Captain too, whilst they were halfway down towards the creek, and
Barrett and I loaded ourselves. I took a case of seeds, some papers of
Carron's, a double gun and pistol, which, together with my own double gun
and brace of pistols, thermometer, and my pockets full of powder and
shot, was as much as I could manage. Seeing Carron could not get along, I