persons expressed apprehension at our travelling without fire-arms.
30th. Some person having suggested that Proper—a native of the country near Circular Head—would probably run away if we put in there, W. J. Darling, who at the time was lying on a bed on the cabin floor, inquired what was his intention. Proper, with characteristic cheerfulness, answered this question by slipping into bed to Darling, and thus assuring him that he would not forsake him.—From this man, I learned, that the Aborigines of V. D. Land had no artificial method of obtaining fire, before their acquaintance with Europeans: they say, they obtained it first from the sky—probably meaning by lightning. They preserved fire by carrying ignited sticks, or bark, with them, and if these went out, they looked for the smoke of the fire of some other party, or of one of the fires that they had left, as these often continued to burn for several days.—In the afternoon we brought up under Circular-head, where a whale-boat belonging a sealer, residing on Stack Island, came along side the cutter. Seated at the stern, was a native young woman, of interesting appearance, neatly dressed, and having her hair cut off, according to the common custom among her sex in this Land. The mild expression of her features was beclouded by sadness. When she spoke, which was rarely, it was in a low tone. The sealers appeared to treat her kindly, but there was something in their manners that excited suspicion. On being asked, if she would like some soup, she replied in the affirmative, and was requested to come on board for it. Having finished the soup, she sat in silence: Jumbo was asked, if she knew the woman. She replied, Yes, she is my country woman. Jumbo was then inquired of, why she did not talk to her. She replied, She wont speak to me. W. J. Darling ordered the two women into the cabin, and desired Jumbo to ask Jackey—for this was the name that the sealers had given this woman—if she would go to Flinders Island, and live with her own people there. No, was her answer. He then requested, she might be informed, that if she wished to go, he had power to take her, and that the sealers should not hurt her.
