Volltext Seite (XML)
leaders in brutal glee awaited the drifting of the boat. The danger was imminent. The guns were ready, the very finger was on the trigger, when Mr. McLeay called out that another party were approaching on the opposite bank. In a moment after, a man threw himself off a lofty cliff into the water, swam .up to a big savage on the shore, seized him by his throat, and forcibly pushed him back from the river. “ At one moment,” says Sturt, “pointing to the boat, at another shaking his clenched fist in the faces of the most forward, and stamping with passion on the sand.” This was their gigantic friend, who arrived in time to save them. The leader closes the story in these words: “We were so wholly lost in interest at the scene that was passing, that the boat was allowed to drift at pleasure. For my own part, I was overwhelmed with astonishment, and in truth stunned and confused, so singular, so unexpected, and so strikingly providential had been our escape.’’ Upon another occasion they were relieved from a difficulty by the same noble hearted man. The boat had got fast, and a large tribe came unexpectedly upon them. But the well known voice of their tall, dark brother was heard ; Sturt shouted in reply, and signal ized distress. Plenty of bark canoes were launched immediately ; using their spears for poles and paddles, the natives pushed off the boat, and set the Europeans afloat again. We are distressed, however, to read in Captain Sturt’s journal such passages as follow : “ The most loathsome of diseases prevailed among the tribes, nor were the youngest infants exempt from them. Indeed, so young were some whose condition was truly disgusting, that I cannot but suppose that they have been born in a state of disease.” “Syphilis prevails amongst them with fearful violence. I distributed some Turner’s cerate to the women, but left Fraser to superintend its application. It would do no good, of course, but it convinced the natives we intended well toward them, and on that account it was politic to give it, setting aside any humane feeling.” His prudence showed itself in his discipline ; thus he says, “ I was particularly careful not to do anything that would alarm them, or to permit any liberty to be taken with their women. Our reserve in this respect seemed to excite their surprize, for they asked sundry questions, by signs and expressions, as to whether we had any women, and where
