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11 that the natives had pitched their tents near those of the white men ; the former being seated round their fires, evidently in great excitement. Presently some of the natives saw me, and turning round, pointed me out to one of the white people, and seeing they had done so, I walked away from the well, up to their place, and seated myself there, having my spears and other war and hunting implements between my legs. The white men could not make me out; my half-cast colour, and extraordinary height and figure—dressed or rather undressed as I was, completely con founded them as to my real character. At length one of them came up and asked me some questions which I could not understand ; but when he offered me bread, calling it by its name, a cloud appeared to pass from over my brain, and I soon repeated that and other English words after him. Somehow or other I soon made myself understood to them as not being a native-born, and so the white men took me to their tents, and clothed me, giving me biscuit, tea and meat; and they were, indeed, all very kind in every way. My sensations I cannot describe; and, as I could not explain them in my mother tongue, I showed the initials W. B. on one of my arms, by which they began readily to sympathize and look upon me as a long lost cast-away seaman, and treated me accordingly, by giving me well cooked food, shelter and raiment. Word by word I began to comprehend what they said, and soon understood as if by instinct, that they intended to remain in the country ; that they had seen several of the native chiefs, with whom, as they said, they had exchanged all sorts of things for land.” Batman’s Association engaged Buckley as a sort of Interpreter at a salary of .£50, and Mr. Gellibrand furnished him with a horse. His business was to forward friendly intercourse between the Whites and Blacks. Capt. Lonsdale placed him on the staff of constables June 4th, 1836. Before this, however, he had obtained a free pardon from Colonel Arthur, August 25th, 1835, through the kind intercession of Messrs. Batman and Wedge. He left Port Phillip for Hobart Town soon after the coming of Capt. Lonsdale. The following is the reason assigned for his departure;—“ Finding some persons were continually throwing
