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43 came upon a large encampment of the wild natives. Having been for several days on short allowance for water, the Europeans rushed hastily toward a pool. They were instantly withheld by their own aboriginal guide, who represented their conduct as indecorous, im politic, and dangerous. They were on the lands of strangers, and had no legal right to fire or water. At his direction, therefore, they sat down quietly upon the grass. A quarter of an hour had elapsed, when one of the Gipps Landers came across, and politely handed them a piece of burning wood. With this a fire was kindled, and an opossum cooked for supper. But it was drink they were so anxious to obtain. Yet among these wild children of nature, there were set conventional forms of society, as binding and exactive as those of refined circles, and the infringement of which perilled the social position of the offender. It was contrary to aboriginal etiquette to ask for water ; the guide then began gnawing at a stick, all the while casting side long, wistful glances at the pool. The look was sufficiently suggestive, and a calabash of water was gene rously brought to them. They now prepared for sleep. When the gentlemen at home witnessed these final camping preparations, they sent an old man to confer with our party. The guide met him. A long yabber ensued. Questions were asked about the white men, why they came, and where they were going. The envoy returned to his tribe, and was heard in shrill accents loudly repeating the nature of the conference. Silence followed this communication ; after which the tribe came to a decision. The old man appeared with the ultimatum. The white men were instantly to depart. Knowing that appeal would be useless, they gathered up their knapsacks and went on their way. Trespassers were not allowed ; but instead of steel traps and spring guns, they were first tendered the rights of hospitality, and suffered to recruit their physical systems, before ordered to withdraw. It has not been quite in that courteous style that we have driven the owners of the soil from our homesteads, or the Chinese from our shores.
