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of 8 miles. Crossing a creek upon a log, they were amused with some rude figures on the wattle hark, representing men fighting. After “ a little tea and something to eat,’V the founder took a further circuit of a dozen miles up a river running from the northward. The following day the party went in the direction of west north-west, crossed the Moonie Ponds, and from a Hill beheld a noble sweep of plains. We fancy our friend’s numbers are a little at fault when he talks thus : “ From east to west I think there is more than 80 miles certain, and from this to the river or Bay is 50 miles all plains, and SO miles due north all plains.” A week has elapsed, and no blacks appear. But a smoke rises in the east. A walk of 16 miles through a splendid country brings them to the junction of a creek with one from the north north-east; this was the Merri Creek. In the morning, Saturday, June 6th, after three hours journey, Batman says, “ We fell in with a native man, his wife and three children, who received my natives with appa rent cordiality, and informed them that the women to whom I had given presents, although belonging to another tribe, had communicated the reception they had met with from us.” This friendly black led them towards his comrades. Suddenly six men and as many spears were seen In the rear. “ When we stopped,” says the journal, “ they threw aside their weapons and came very friendly up to us, after shaking hands, and my giving them tomahawks, knives, &c. They took us with them about a mile back, where we found huts, women and children.” This was the Jaga Jaga trihe of some fifty persons. We continue the account in the language of the report. “ I joined this tribe about 12 o’clock, and stayed with them till 12 o’clock next day, during which time I fully explained to them that the object of my visit was to purchase from them a tract of their coun try ; that I intended to settle amongst them with my wife and seven daughters ; and that I intended to bring to their country sheep and cattle. I also explained my wish to protect them in every way, to employ them the same as my own natives, and also to clothe and feed them ; and I also proposed to pay them an annual tribute in necessa ries as a compensation for the enjoyment of their land. “The chiefs appeared most fully to comprehend my proposals, and much delighted with the prospect of having me to live amongst them. I then explained to them the boundaries of the land I wished to pur-
