第7章

But，itmaybeasked，whydidItakethetroubletosupplyeverythingthatwalkedandflewandcrawledwithwaterwhenwaterwassoprecious？Amoment”sthoughtwillfurnishtheanswer。IfI

sufferedalltheanimals，birds，andreptilestodie，Imyselfwouldbewithoutfood，andthenmylaststatewouldbeconsiderablyworsethanthefirst。

Ithinkthesnakeswerethemostungratefulcreaturesofall。

Sometimestheywoulddeliberatelycoilthemselvesupinthetroughitself，andsopreventthebirdsfromapproaching。Ialwaysknewwhensomethingofthiskindhadhappened，becauseofthefrightfulscreechingandgeneraluproarsetupbytheindignantbirds——thatistosay，suchashadthepowertoscreechleft。Iwouldhurrytothespotanddragoutthecauseofthetroublewithaforkedstick。

Ineverkilledhim，becausetherewerealreadyenoughofhiskinddeadoneveryside。Theverytreesandgrassdied；andinthisoriginatedanotheralmostequallyterribleperil——thebushfires，ofwhichmorehereafter。Talkingaboutsnakes，onedayIhadanarrowescapefromoneoftheseungratefulreptiles。Anumberofbabysnakeshadswarmedintothetrough，andIwasintheveryactofangrilyremovingthemwhenIheardashoutofhorrorfromYamba。

Iswunground，instinctivelyleapingsidewaysasIdidso，andthere，rearingitselfhighintheair，wasanenormoussnake，fullytwentyfeetlong。Yamba，withoutamoment”shesitation，aimedatremendousblowatitandsmasheditshead。

Thedroughtwasproductiveofallkindsofcuriousandremarkableincidents。Theemuscameingreatflockstothedrinking-trough，andsomeofthemweresofargonethattheyfelldeadonlyafewyardsfromthefountoflife。Ipickedupagreatnumberofthesehugebirds，andmadetheirskinsintousefulbedcoverings，rugs，andevenarticlesofclothing。WhenthisterriblevisitationwasatitsheightYambamadeacurioussuggestiontome。Addressingmegravelyonenightshesaid，“YouhaveoftentoldmeoftheGreatSpiritwhomyourpeopleworship；Hecandoallthingsandgrantallprayers。CanyounotappealtoHimnowtosenduswater？“Itwasalittlebitawkwardforme，butasIhadoftenchattedtomywifeabouttheDeity，andtoldherofHisomnipotenceandHisgreatgoodnesstomankind，Iwasmoreorlessobligedtoadoptthissuggestion。AccordinglysheandIkneltdowntogetheronenightinourdwelling，andofferedupanearnestprayertoGodthatHewouldsendwatertotheafflictedcountry。Nextmorningthatwhichseemedtomeamiraclehadbeenwrought。Incrediblethoughitmayappear，allthecreeks，whichuntilthepreviousnighthadbeenmeredrywatercoursesforanuntoldnumberofmonths，wereripplingandrunningwiththemuch-neededwater，andweweresavedallfurtheranxiety，atanyrateforthetime。Theremaybe，however，somescientificexplanationofthisextraordinaryoccurrence。

Nosoonerhadwerecoveredfromthedelightcausedbythisphenomenallysuddenchangethantheraincame——suchrain！andthetremendoustropicaldownpourlastedforseveralweeks。Thecountrysoonrevertedtosomethinglikeitsnormalappearance。

Thebushfireswereextinguished，andevenmylagooncameintoexistenceagain。

Talkingaboutbushfires，weoftensawthemragingmadlyandsublimelyinthemountains。Theywouldburnforweeksatastretch，anddevastatehundredsofmilesofcountry。Forourselves，wealwayspreparedforsuchemergenciesby“ringing“ourdwelling——thatistosay，layingbareacertainstretchofcountryinaperfectcirclearoundus。Oftenwewerealmostchokedbytheintenseheatwhichthewindoccasionallywaftedtous，andwhich，combinedwiththeblazingsunandscarcityofwater，renderedlifepositivelyintolerable。

InowwishtosayafewwordsaboutBruno——afewlastsorrowfulwords——becauseatthisperiodhewasgrowingfeeble，and，indeed，hadneverbeenthesamesincethedeathofGibson。Still，Iwasconstantlymakinguseofhissagacitytoimpresstheblacks。Myusualcustomwastohidesomearticle(suchasmytomahawk)，nearthehouseinBruno”spresence，andthenstartoffonatrampaccompaniedbytheblacks。

AfterwehadgoneafewmilesIwouldsuddenlycallahalt，andpretendtomycompanionsthatIhadforgottensomething。ThenI

wouldorderBrunotogobackandfetchit，withmanymysteriouswhisperings。Thedear，sagaciousbrutealwaysunderstoodwhatI

wantedhimtodo，andinthecourseofperhapsanhourortwohewouldcomeandlaythearticleatmyfeet，andaccepttheflatteringadulationofmyblackcompanionswiththeutmostcalmnessandindifference。Brunoneverforgotwhatwasrequiredofhimwhenweencounteredanewtribeofblacks。Hewouldalwayslooktomeforhiscue，andwhenhesawmecommencemyacrobaticfeats，hetoowouldgothroughhislittlerepertoire，barkingandtumblingandrollingaboutwithwonderfulenergy。

HisquaintlittlewayshadsoendearedhimtomethatIcouldnotbeartothinkofanythinghappeningtohim。Ononeoccasion，whengoingthroughaburning，sandydesert，bothheandIsufferedterriblyfromthehot，loosesandwhichpouredbetweenourtoesandcausedusgreatsuffering。PoorBrunoprotestedintheonlywayhecould，whichwasbystoppingfromtimetotimeandgivingventtothemostmournfulhowls。Besides，Icouldtellfromthegingerlywayheputhisfeetdownthattheburningsandwouldsoonmakeitimpossibleforhimtogoanyfarther。Ithereforemadehimasetofmoccasinsoutofkangarooskin，andtiedthemonhisfeet。

Thesehealwaysworeafterwardswhentraversingsimilardeserts，andeventuallyhebecamesoaccustomedtothemthatassoonaswereachedthesandhewouldcometomeandputuphispawsappealinglytohavehis“boots“puton！

Butnowagebegantotelluponhim；hewasgettingstiffinhislimbs，andseldomaccompaniedmeonhuntingexpeditions。Heseemedonlytowanttosleepanddrowseawaytheday。Hehadbeenasplendidkangaroohunter，andtookquiteanextraordinaryamountofpleasureinthispursuit。Hewouldrundownthebiggestkangarooand“bailhimup“unerringlyunderatree；andwheneverthedoomedanimaltriedtogetawayBrunowouldimmediatelygoforhistail，andcompelhimtostandatbayoncemoreuntilIcameuptogivethecoupdegrace。Ofcourse，Brunoreceivedanastykicksometimesandoccasionallyabitefromasnake，poisonousandotherwise。HewasnotayoungdogwhenIhadhimfirst；andIhadnowmadeupmymindthathecouldnotlivemuchlonger。HepaidbutlittleattentioninthesedaystoeitherYambaormyself，andinthisconditionhelingeredonforayearormore。

OnemorningIwentintothesecondhut——whichwestillcalledGibson”s，bytheway，althoughhehadneverlivedthere——whentomydismayandhorror(notwithstandingthatIwaspreparedfortheevent)，IbeheldmypoorBrunolaidoutstiffandstarkonthelittleskinrugthatGibsonhadoriginallymadeforhim。IdonotthinkIknewhowmuchIlovedhimuntilhewasgone。AsIstoodthere，withthetearscoursingdownmycheeks，allthestrangeeventsofmywondrouscareerseemedtorisebeforemymind——eventsinwhichpoordeadBrunoalwaystookanactivepart。Hewaswithmeonthewreck；hewaswithmeontheisland；hewaswithmeinallmywanderingsandthroughallmysufferingsandtriumphs。Hegotmeoutofmanyascrape，andhiscuriouslittleeccentricities，likes，anddislikesaffordedmenever-endingdelight。Butnowhewasgonethewayofallflesh；andalthoughIhadexpectedthisblowformanymonths，Idonotthinkthismitigatedmypoignantgrief。Yamba，too，wasterriblygrievedathisdeath，forshehadbecomemostdevotedlyattachedtohimandhetoher。Irolledthebodyofthefaithfulcreatureinakindofpreservativeearthandtheninanoutercoveringofbark。ThisdoneIlaidhimonashelfinoneofthecaveswherethewilddogscouldnotgetathim，andwherethebodyofGibson，similarlytreated，hadalsobeenplaced。

CHAPTERXVIII

Imakeaperambulator——Meetingwithwhites——Adreadfulhabit——ThemiracleofMoses——Preparingademonstration——Anexpectantaudience——

Yambagrowingfeeble——Onetiesnapped——Yamba”spatheticefforts——

Vainhopes——Yambadying——Nearingtheend——Mysoledesire——Amassofgold——Iseektrousersandshirt——Aninterestinggreeting——A

startlingquestion——TowardsMountMargaret——TheFrenchConsul——I

reachLondon。

Ialwaysfeltinstinctivelythatanyattemptatmissionaryenterpriseonmypartwouldbedangerous，andmightbesidesaffordjealousmedicine-menandotherpossibleenemiesanexcellentopportunityofunderminingmyinfluence。

Sometimes，however，whenallthetribewasgatheredtogether，I

wouldbringupthesubjectofcannibalism，andtellthemthattheGreatSpirittheyfearedsomuchhadleftwithmeawrittenmessageforbiddingallfeastingoffthebodiesofhumanbeings。The“writtenmessage“IreferredtoontheseoccasionswasmyoldBible。Ofcoursetheblacksfailedtounderstanditspurportasabook，havingnowrittenlanguageoftheirown；butmymannerandwordsservedtoimpressthem。

MynativesseemedevertomanifestthekeenestinterestintheaccountsIgavethemofthewonderfulresourcesofcivilisation；

butexperienceshowedthatImustadaptmydescriptionstotheintellectofmyhearers。Forexample，Iusedtotellthemthatinthegreatcities(“camps“Icalledthem)therewasneveranyrealdarknessifmenchose，becausetherewereotherlightsatcommandwhichcouldbeturnedoffandonatwill。Themosteffectiveanalogyinthisrespectwasthetwinklingofthestarsintheheavens；butmyhearersweregreatlyamazedtothinkthatsuchlightscouldbeunderthecommandofman。

Theblackshadlongsinceputmedownasagreatspiritcometovisitthem，andtheyevenlocatedbycommonconsentacertainstarintheheavenswhichtheydecidedwasatonetimemyhome，andtowhichIshouldeventuallyreturn。EverytimeImadeafalsestep，Ihadtodevisesomenew“miracle“bywayofcounterblast。

OnoneoccasionIactuallymadeaperambulatorfortheconveyanceofchildren！Itwastheveryfirsttimethattheseprimitivesavageshadseentheprincipleofthewheelappliedtolocomotion，anditpassedtheircomprehensionaltogether。Withchildishdelightandanuproarthatbafflesalldescription，bothmenandwomenalmostfoughtwithoneanotherforthehonourofpushingthecrudelittleconveyanceabout。Theperambulatorwasmadeoutoflogs，andwasafour-wheeledvehicle；therimsofthewheelsbeingcutfromahollowtree。Myblackswerealsomuchamazedatthegreatsizeofmymountainhome；buttheirwondermentincreasedgreatlywhenIexplainedtothemthatsomeofthebuildingsinthegreat“camps“ofthewhitemanwereaslargeasthehills，andmuchmorenumerous。

ElsewhereIhavespokenoftheextraordinarysystemoftelegraphythatexistsamongtheblacks。Well，intheearlyeightiesnewsbegantoreachmethatnumbersofwhitemenhadappearedinthenorth；andinoneofmymanylongtrampsIonedaycameuponapartyofwhitemenengagedinprospecting。Ispeakofthisremarkablemeetingthusabruptlybecausetheirtentmetmygazeinthemostabruptmannerpossible。ItiseversointheAustralianbush。

Ifoundthatthispartywasbynomeansanisolatedone，andI

actuallystayedinvariouscampsforafewdays，beforereturningtomymountainhome。IneedhardlyremarkthatthewhitemenwerefarmoreastonishedtoseemethanIwasatmeetingthem。OfcourseIcouldhavejoinedthemandgonebacktocivilisation，butthisIwouldnotdowithoutmynativewifeandfamily。ItwasintheKimberleydistrictthatImetthesepartiesofprospectors；andImayhereremarkthatIhadforsometimebeenawareoftheexistenceofthisauriferousregion。IlearnedafterwardsthattheKimberleywasgeographicallythenearestpointImighthavemadeforinordertoreachcivilisation。

WhenIsettleddownagaininmymountainhomeIsoonfellintomyoldwayofliving，whichwaspracticallyidenticalwiththatoftheblacks，savethatIdidnotalwaysaccompanythemwhentheyshiftedcamp。Partiesofnativeswereconstantlycallinguponme，andwouldstayperhapsthreeorfourdaysatatime。Iencouragedthesevisits，andinvariablypreparedsomeentertainmentformyguests，——evengoingtotheextentofprovidingthemwithwives，accordingtonativecustom。But，youwillask，wheredidIgetwivestohandroundinthisconvenientfashion？Averyinterestingquestionthis，andonewhichrequiresasomewhatlengthyanswer。

Now，theblacksdonotlookupontheadventofafemalechildwithanyfavour；onthecontrary，theyfrequentlygetridofitatonceinordertosavethemselvesthetroubleoftakingitwiththemwhenonthewalk-about。

AsIwasalwaysveryfondofchildren，Idecidedtotryandputastoptothisdreadfulhabitofchild-murder，soImadeitknownfarandwidethatparentscouldpasstheirgirl-babiesontome，andI

wouldrearandlookafterthem。Theresultofthiswidely-

advertisedofferwasthatIsoonhadquiteanorphanasylumestablished——aninstitutionwhichwasvaluabletomeinmanyways。

QuiteapartfromthesatisfactionIderivedfromknowingIhadsavedthesechildrenfromaterribledeath，Iwaslookeduponasakindofprospectivefather-in-lawonagiganticscale，andyoungmencamefromallpartstotreatwithmeforwives。

AsIhavesaidbefore，myregularreceptiondayswereheldatthenewmoon。

Myvisitors，aswellasmyownpeople，graduallygrewtohavequiteareverencefortheBible；butIamafraiditwasnotonaccountofthesacrednessofthebook，butratherowingtothewonderfulthingsitcontained，andwhichwereinterpretedbymeinsuchawayaswouldappealdirectlytotheprimitivemindsofthesepeople。

OftentimesImademistakes。Forinstance，whatseemedtointerestthemenormouslywasthestoryofhowMosesstrucktherockandobtainedamiraculoussupplyofwater。Anythinginthewayoffreshwaterprocuredinthedesertinterestedthemkeenly。Only，unfortunately，theyflooredmebyaskingmetoaccomplishasimilarmiracle！

AnotherBiblestorywhichbroughtmesomediscomfiturewasaboutBalaamandhisass。Now，whenIdecidedtotellthestoryofBalaam，IknewfromexperiencethatifImentionedan“ass，“thatanimalwouldrequireallkindsoftediousexplanation，whichwouldprobablyresultinneedlessmystificationandconsequentsuspicion；

soIboldlyplungedintothestoryofBALAAMANDHISKANGAROO！ButwhatstaggeredtheblacksaltogetherwasthatBalaam”skangarooshouldbeabletospeak。Now，itseemsthatatalkinganimalisthegreatestpossiblejokeknowntotheblacks，andsomynarrativewasgreetedwithuproariousmirth；andmy“impossible“storyevenspreadfromtribetotribe。Ifounditwasnousetellingtheblacksanythingtheycouldnotreadilycomprehend。

OnedayItoldthemaboutthedestructionofSodomandGomorrahbyfireandbrimstone，andthisagainlandedmeindisaster，forIwaspromptlyaskedhowcouldanyone，GreatSpiritorother，burnupTHESTONESofwhichthehouseswerecomposed？And，ofcourse，eachinstanceofthiskindwouldbepounceduponbyatribalmedicine-

manorsomeotherjealousenemy，andusedtodiscreditme。AfewdaysaftertellingtheSodomandGomorrahstory，Iwasonawalk-

aboutwithYambainmymountainregion，whenIsuddenlydiscoveredthatshaleexistedinveryconsiderablequantities，andIthereuponconceivedtheideaofdemonstratingtotheblacksthat，notonlywastheBiblenarrativeatrueone，butthatitwasquitepossibletoignitestone；ANDIWOULDEVENSHOWTHEMHOWITWASDONE！

AidedbyYambaandothermembersofmyfamily，Iconstructedanimmenseshaft-likecairn，mainlycomposedofloosepiecesofshaleintermixedwithsandstone。Iputinthesandstoneandotherstones，partlyinorderthattheblacksmightnotnoticetheuniformconstructionofthecairn；andpartlyalsobecauseIknewthatwhentheordinarystoneswereheated，theywouldprobablyburstorexplodewithaloudsound，andsoterrifythesuperstitiousonlookers。Thecairnwasaboutfifteenfeethigh，withanopeningatthesummitandothersmallopeningsatthesidesinordertoensureagooddraught。AtthebaseIleftanopeningsufficientlylargeformetocrawlthrough。ThenIplacedinsideaquantityofinflammablematerial——suchaswoodanddrybark；——andasallthesepreparationswentforwardinaveryleisurelymanner，mymonthlyreceptionwasquiteduewheneverythingwasready。

Wishingtohaveanexceptionallylargegathering，IsentoutinvitationstoallthesurroundingtribestocomeandseemywonderfulperformanceatwhichIwould“setfiretotherocksandstones。”

Aperfectlyenormouscrowdassembledatthetimeappointed，formypreviousachievementshadledtheblack-fellowstosupposeIhadsomemarvellousmanifestationinstoreforthem。NevercanI

forgetthekeennesswithwhichthatgreatassemblyanticipatedtheentertainmentinstoreforthem。Andremember，theyweregrowingprettyblasebythistime，havingwitnessedsomanymiracles。

Inthetwilightoftheevening，whenthemurmurofthemultitudewashushed，Icrawledcautiouslyintothecairn(Ishouldhavebeenburiedalivehaditcollapsed)，andatoncecommencedoperationswiththeflintandsteelandtinderwhichIhadtakencaretoleavethere。InanotherminuteIhadsetfiretothewoodanddrymaterialthatfilledthebottomoftheshaft。WhenIwassatisfiedthatitwasthoroughlyalight，Idiscreetlywithdrewandjoinedthewonderingcrowd，whichIhadforbiddentoapproachtooclose。

Densecloudsofsmokewerenowrollingfromtheaperturesofthegreatcairn，andinashorttimetheshaftwasafierceandragingfurnace，withtheordinarystonesredhotandoccasionallyburstingwithloudexplosions，whichthrewshowersofglowingslaghighintotheair。

Theblackswerealmostparalysedwithfear，andmanyofthemthrewthemselvesprostrateontheground，ignoringthehailofstonesthatfellupontheirnakedbodies。Istalkedaboutmajesticallyamongthem，exultinginmypowerandthesuccessofmymanifestation。Thebigcairnburntformanydaysmorefiercelythanevenastackofcoalwoulddo；andIneverceasedtowonderthattheblacksthemselveshadnotlongagofoundouttheinflammablenatureofthe“stone。”

BythistimeYambacouldspeakEnglishtolerablywell，butwedidnotinvariablyusethatlanguage。

GraduallyandhalfunconsciouslyIfellintothehabitofspeakingthenativetongue，untilIsuddenlyfoundthatthepracticewasobtainingsuchafirmholduponmethatIwasforgettingFrenchaltogether；whilstitwasonlywithdifficultythatIcouldformgrammaticalsentencesinEnglish。Isooncametotheconclusion，therefore，thatitwasnecessaryformetoholdmuchmoreconverseinEnglishthanIhadhithertodone；andfromthemomentthatthiscurious“scare“suggesteditselftomymind，YambaandIandourchildrenspokenothingbutEnglishwhenwewerebyourselvesintheevening。IcultivatedmyknowledgeofEnglishinpreferencetoanyotherlanguage，becauseIknewthatifeverweshouldreachcivilisation，EnglishandnotFrenchwouldbethelanguagespoken。

ItmaybeinterestingalsotomentionthatoneofthefirstindicationsIhadthatIwaslosingmyEnglishwasaninabilitytoTHINKinthatlanguage。

IngeneralappearanceIwasnowabsolutelylikeablack，andworeonlyanapronofemuskinasaprotectionagainstthescrubI

encounteredwhenonthewalk-about。IntheordinarywayIneverhadanymarksuponmewiththeexceptionofthesescratches。Ofcourse，onfestiveoccasions，Iwasgailypaintedanddecorated，andnodoubtIwouldhavebeeninitiatedintomanhood，andbornethetribalandothermarks，wereitnotforthefactthatIwasamanwhenIcameamongtheblacks。

Itisobviouslyimpossibleformetorecordminutelythehappeningsofeveryday，mainlybecauseonlythesalientincidentsstandoutinmymind。Besides，Ihavealreadydealtwiththedailyroutine，andhaveprobablyrepeatedmyselfinminordetails。

Aconstantsourceofgrieftomewastheweaklyconditionofmytwochildren，whoIknewcouldneverattainmatureage。Andknowingtheyweredoomed，IthinkIlovedthemallthemore。

YetsoincomprehensibleishumannaturethatIoftenfoundmyselfspeculatingonwhatIshoulddoafterthey——andYamba——weregone；

becausebythistimemyfaithfulhelpmatewasgrowingominouslyfeeble。YoumustrememberthatwhenIfirstmetheronthedesertislandshewasanoldishwoman，judgedbythenativestandard；thatistosay，shewasaboutthirty。

Thedeath-bedofmyboyisasceneIcanneverforget。Hecalledmetohim，andsaidhewasverygladhewasdying，becausehefelthewouldneverhavebeenstrongenoughtofighthiswaythroughlife，andenduredailywhattheotherblackboysendured。

Therefore，hearguedwistfully，andhalfinquiringly，hewouldonlybeaburdentome。Hewasaveryaffectionateandconsideratelittlefellow，withanintelligencefarbeyondthatoftheordinaryaboriginalchild。HespokeinEnglish，becauseIhadtaughtbothhimandhissisterthatlanguage。AtthelastIlearned——forthefirsttime——thatitwasalwaysworryinghim，andalmostbreakinghislittleheart，thathecouldnevercompetewiththeblackboysintheirgamesofstrengthandskill；andnodoubthewouldhavebecomeanoutcastwereitnotthathewasmyson。

AlmosthislastwhisperedwordstomewerethathewouldbeabletoassistmemoreintheSpirit-landthaneverhecouldhopetodointheflesh。Hewasperfectlyconscioustothelast，andasIkneltdownbyhiscouchoffragranteucalyptusleaves，andstoopedlowtocatchhiswhisperedmessage，hetoldmeheseemedtobeenteringabeautifulnewcountry，wherethebirdsalwayssangandtheflowersbloomedforever。Spiritvoiceskeptcallinghim，hesaid，andhefelthimselfbeingirresistiblydrawnawayfromme。

UponmyownfeelingsIdonotwishtodwell。AllIwillsayisI

kissedmyboyontheeyesandmouth，andthen，withasoft“Good-

bye，theyhavecomeforme，“heclosedhiseyesforever。

Ifeltitwastobe。Afewdaysafterwardsthelittlegirl，myremainingchild，wastakenill，andsofeeblewasshe，thatshesoonjoinedherbrotherinthebetterland。Iseemedtobeoverwhelmedwithmisfortunes，butthegreatestofallwasyettocome。IhavehintedthatYambawasbeginningtoshowsignsofinfirmitythroughadvancingyears。Icouldnothelpnoticing，withavaguefeelingofhelplesshorrorandsickeningforeboding，thatshehadlostherhighspiritsandkeenperception——tosaynothingabouttheelasticityofhertreadandherwonderfulphysicalendurancegenerally。Shewasnolongerabletoaccompanymeonthelongandinterestingtrampswhichwehadnowtakentogetherforsomanyyears。Herskinbegantowitherandwrinkle，andshegraduallytookontheappearanceofaveryoldwoman。TheresultofthiswasIbegantohavefitsoffrightfuldepressionandacutemisery。Istayedathomeagooddealnow，partlybecauseIknewthecountrythoroughlyandnolongercaredtoexplore，andpartlyalsobecauseImissedthecompanionshipandinvaluableassistanceofmydevotedwife。IconstantlybuoyedmyselfupwiththehopethatYambawasonlyailingtemporarily，andthatherenfeebledconditionhadbeenbroughtonmainlybythemisfortunesthathadbefallenusoflate。Butshegrewmoreandmorefeeble，andbothsheandIknewthattheendwasnotfaroff。Neveronce，however，didwealludetosuchacatastrophe；andwheneverIfixedmyeyesearnestlyuponherinthevainhopeofdiscerningsomemorefavourablesymptom，shewouldpretendnottonoticeme。

Iwouldsometimestakeherforalongwalk，whichwasreallymuchbeyondherstrength，solelyinorderthatwemightdeludeourselveswithvainhopes。Andshe，poorcreature，wouldtaxherselffarbeyondherstrengthinordertoaffordmeahappinesswhichtherealstateofthingsdidnotjustify。

Forinstance，shewouldrunandleapandjumpinordertoshowthatshewasasyoungasever；butafterthesestrangeandpatheticdemonstrationsshewouldendeavourtoconcealhergreatexhaustion。

VerysoonmypoorYambawasobligedtoremainathomealtogether；

andasshegrewmoreandmoreinfirm，shepluckedupcouragetotellmethatsheknewshewasgoingtodie，andwasrathergladthanotherwise，becausethenIwouldbeabletoreturntocivilisation——thatgoalforwhichIhadyearnedthroughsomanyyears。Shepointedouttomethatitwouldnotbesodifficultnow，asIhadalreadybeenbroughtintocontactwithpartiesofwhitemen；and，besides，wehadlongagohadnewsbroughttousabouttheconstructionoftheTrans-ContinentalTelegraphLinefromAdelaidetoPortDarwin。NosoonerhadshespokenofdeaththanI

brokedownagainaltogether。Thethoughtthatsheshouldbetakenfrommewassocruelthatitscontemplationwasquiteinsupportable，andIthrewmyselfdownbesideherinaperfectagonyofgriefanddread。

ItoldherIdidnotmindhowlongIremainedamongtheblackssolongasshewaswithme；andItriedtopersuadeher，withalltheeloquenceIcouldmuster，that，farfromdying，shewouldreturntocivilisationwithme，sothatImightspreadabroadtothewholeworldthestoryofherdevotionandhervirtues。Asshecontinuedmerelytosmilepityingly，Ichangedmytoneanddweltuponthepast。Iwentthroughthewholestoryofmylife，fromthetimeshewascastuponthedesertislandintheSeaofTimor，andattherecitalofallthehardshipsanddangers，joysandtroubles，whichwehadpassedthroughtogether，shebrokedownalso，andweweptlongandbitterlyinoneanother”sarms。

BythistimeshehadbecomeaconverttoChristianity，butthiswasentirelyamatterofherownseeking。Shehadsuchimplicitbeliefinmywisdomandknowledge，thatshebeggedmetotellherallaboutmyreligioninorderthatshemightadoptitasherown。

Likemostconverts，shewasfilledwithfieryzealandenthusiasm，andtriedtosoftentheapproachingterrorbytellingmeshewasquitehappyatthethoughtofgoing，becauseshewouldbeabletolookaftermeevenmorethaninthepast。“Howdifferentitwouldhavebeenwithme，“sheusedtosay，“hadIremainedwithmyoldtribe。IshouldstillbeunderthebeliefthatwhenIdiedmyhigheststatewouldbetobeturnedintoananimal；butnowIknowthatagloriousfutureawaitsus，andthatinduetimeyouwilljoinmeinheaven。”

Yambadidnotsufferanyphysicalpain，norwassheactuallyconfinedtoherbeduntilfourdaysbeforeherdeath。AsthevarioustribesknewtheloveandadmirationIhadforher，thefactthatshelaydyingspreadrapidly，andcrowdsofnativesflockedtomymountainhome。

Widespreadsympathywasexpressedforme；andallkindsoftenderconsiderationwereevincedbythesesavages。Alldaylonganincessantstreamofwomen-folkkeptcomingtothehutandinquiringaftermydyingwife。

ItseemedtobeYamba”ssoleanxietythatIshouldbewellequippedforthejourneybacktocivilisation。Shewouldrehearsewithmeforhoursthevariousmethodsadoptedbytheblack-fellowstofindwater；andsheremindedmethatmycourseatfirstwastobeinasoutherlydirectionuntilIcametoaregionwherethetreeswereblazed，andthenIwastofollowthetrackthatledwestward。Shehadelicitedthisinformationformefromtheblackswithremarkableacuteness。

Theselastdaysseemedtopassveryquickly，andonenightthedyingwomanhadaseriousrelapse。Hithertoshehadalwaysaddressedmeas“Master，“butnowthatshestoodintheValleyoftheShadowshewouldthrowherarmsaboutmyneckandwhispersoftly，“Good-bye，MYHUSBAND。Good-bye，Iamgoing——going——going。

Iwillwaitforyou——there。”

FormyselfIcouldnotseemtorealiseit。SometimesIwouldriseupwiththesoleintentionoffindingoutwhetherthisfrightfulthingwasorwasnotaghastlydream。Thenmymemorywouldgobackoverthelongyears，andeverylittleinstanceofunselfishnessanddevotionwouldrisebeforemymind。AsIlookedattheprostrateandattenuatedformthatlaysilentonthecouchofeucalyptusleaves，Ifeltthatlifewasmerelytheacutestagony，andthatI

mustimmediatelyseekoblivioninsomeformortheother，orlosemyreason。Itseemed，Isay，impossiblethatYambacouldceasetobe。Itseemedthecruellestandmostpreposterousthingthatshecouldbetakenfromme。

FranticallyIputmyarmsaroundherandactuallytriedtoliftherontoherfeet，beggingofhertoshowhowrobustshewasasinthedaysofyore。Iwhisperedintoherearsallthememoriesofthepast，andthepoorcreaturewouldendeavourtorespondwithaseriesoffeebleefforts，afterwhichshesankbacksuddenlyandbreathedalastpitifulsigh。

Languageisutterlyfutiletodescribemyhorror——mydistraction。

IfeltasIimaginedamanwouldfeelafteramputationofallhismembers，leavingonlythequiveringandbleedingtrunk。Ifeltthatlifeheldnomorejoy，nomorehope；andgladlywouldIhavewelcomeddeathitselfasahappyreleasefromthewretchednessofliving。InmydeliriumofgriefIoftenbesoughttherepulsivesavagesaboutmetospearmewhereIstood。

UponthissubjectIcandwellnomore，becauseofwhatfollowedI

haveonlythevaguestrecollection。

FordaysIseemedtoliveinakindofdream，andwasnotevensurethatthepeopleImetdaybydaywererealbeings。Astomyawfulloss，IamsureIdidnotrealiseit。WhatIdidrealise，however，wasthenecessityforimmediateaction。Likeadreamtomealsoisthememoryofthesinceregriefofmyblacksandtheirwell-meantendeavourstoconsoleme。Thewomenkeptupamournfulhowl，whichnearlydrovemecrazy，andonlystrengthenedmyresolvetogetawayfromthatfrightfulplace。SodazeddidIbecome，thattheblacksconcludedsomestrangespiritmusthaveenteredintome。

TheyseemedtotakeitforgrantedthatIleftallarrangementsforthefuneraltothem；thesoleideathatpossessedmebeingtocompletemyarrangementsforthegreatjourneyIhadbeforeme。I

toldthenativesfranklyofmyintention，andimmediatelyfortyofthemvolunteeredtoaccompanymeonmytravelsasfarasIchosetopermitthemtocome。Ireadilyacceptedthekindlyoffer，partlybecauseIknewthataloneIshouldhavegonemad；andpartlyalsobecauseIinstinctivelyrealisedthatwithsuchabodyguardIwouldhavenothingtofeareitherfromhumanfoesorthetorturesofthirst。

Ilefteverything。Icutoffmylonghairwithmystilettoanddistributeditamongthenativestobemadeintobracelets，necklaces，andothersouvenirs；andthenIdepartedwithlittleceremonyfromtheplacewhereIhadspentsomanyyearsofweirdandstrangeexile。MostofmybelongingsIgaveaway，andIthinkIturnedmybackuponmymountainhomewithlittleornoregret。

Mydressconsistedsolelyoftheusualcoveringofemuskin；whilstattachedtoabeltroundmywaistweremytomahawkandstiletto。

Mybowandarrowswereslungovermyshoulder。Dayafterdaywemarchedsteadilyon，preciselyasthoughwewereonawalk-about。

Theconditionsofthecountrywereconstantlychanging，andIcameacrossmanyevidencesofitsnaturalrichnessinminerals——moreparticularlygold。

Onedayaswewereallrestingnearthebaseofarock，whichwasakindofhugeoutcropfromtheplain，Ibeganidlytochipthestonewithmytomahawk。Suddenlytheedgeglancedaside，revealingabright，shining，yellowmetal。Isprangtomyfeetinastonishment，andrealisedinamomentthatthisgreatmassofrockwasauriferoustoanenormousdegree，andtherewasonegiganticnugget，spreadouttentacle-wiseinit，whichifremovedwould，I

amsure，beasmuchasacoupleofmencouldcarry。

Weekafterweekpassedby，andstillwecontinuedoursouthwardmarch。Intime，ofcourse，mycompanionsreturnedtotheirowncountry；butsoleisurelyhadourprogressbeenthatIhadampletimethoroughlytoingratiatemyselfwithothertribes，——sothat，asusual，Iwentfromtribetotribepracticallyarmedonlywithmyownknowledgeofthesavagesandmyinvaluablerepertoireoftricks。InthecourseofmonthsIcameupontheblazedormarkedtrees，andthenstruckduewest。

Veryfewincidentsworthrecordingbefellme，andIkeptsteadilyonmywayforeightorninemonths。Atlast——atlast——Icameuponunmistakablesignsoftheproximityof“civilisation“；forstrewnalongthetrackwewerenowfollowingweresuchthingsasrustymeat-tins；oldpapers；discardedandverymuchant-eatenclothing；

tent-pegs；andnumerousotherevidencesofpioneerlife。Oneday，aboutnoon，Iespiedanencampmentoftents500or600yardsaheadofme，andIpromptlybroughtmymentoahaltwhilstIwentforwardalittletoreconnoitre。Curiouslyenough，thesightofthesetentsdidnotcausemeanygreatemotion。Yousee，IhadmetprospectorsbeforeintheKimberleyregion，andbesides，IhadbeenlookingforthesetentssolongfromthetimeIfirstcameacrosstheevidencesofcivilisationaforesaid，thatmyonlysurprisewasIhadnotreachedthembefore。WalkingaboutwereEuropeansintheusualdressoftheAustralianprospector。Suddenlyastrangefeelingofshynessandhesitancycameoverme。AlmoststarknakedanddarkenedasIwas——averitablesavage，infact——IrealisedI

couldnotgoandintroducemyselftothesemenwithoutproperclothing。Iknewthevalueofcautioninapproachingso-calledcivilisedmen，havinghadbitterexperiencewiththeGilesexpedition。Returningtomyblacks，ItoldthemthatatlastIhadcomeupwithmyownpeople，butdidnotwanttojointhemforsomelittletimeyet。ThenIselectedacoupleofmycompanions，andexplainedtothemthatIwantedsomewhiteman”sclothing。

Iinstructedthemtocreepquietlyintothecamp，takeapairoftrousersandshirtthatwerehangingoutsideoneofthetents，andbringbackthesearticlestome。Theyundertookthecommissionwithevidentdelight，butwhentheyreturnedinthecourseofafewminutestheybroughtonlytheshirtwiththem；thetrousers，itseemedhavingbeenremovednodoubtbytheowner，afewminutesbeforetheyarrived。MyblackswereintenselyamusedwhenIdonnedtheshirt；andconsideringthatthiswaspracticallytheonlyarticleofwearingapparelIpossessed，IhavenodoubtIdidcutaveryludicrousfigure。Thencameanotherdifficulty。IreflectedIcouldnotpossiblygoandshowmyselfamongthesewhitemenwearingoneoftheirownshirts。FinallyIdecidedtobidfarewellthenandtheretomyescort，andcontinuemymarchaloneuntilI

reachedanotherencampment。

InthecourseofanotherdayorsoIreachedasecondcamp。IntothisIdecidedtoventureandexplainwhoIwas。Beforetakingthisstep，however，Irubbedoffalltheclayeycoatingonmyskin，trimmedmyhairandbeardtoarespectablelengthbymeansofafirestick，andthrewawaymybow，whichwasnowmyonlyremainingweapon；thenImarchedboldlyintothecamp。SomefiveorsixbronzedprospectorswereseatedatsupperroundthefireinfrontofthetentasIapproached；andwhentheycaughtsightofmetheystared，astoundedforthemoment，andthenburstintolaughter，undertheimpressionthatIwasoneoftheirownblackservantsplayingsomejokeuponthem。WhenIwasbutafewyardsaway，however，IcalledoutinEnglish-

“Halloa，boys！haveyouroomforme？“

Theyweretoomuchtakenabacktoreplyimmediately，andthenoneofthemsaid-

“Ohyes；comeandsitdown。”

AsIseatedmyselfamongthemtheyasked-

“Haveyoubeenoutprospecting？“

“Yes，“Isaidquietly，“andIhavebeenawayaverylongtime。”

“Andwheredidyouleaveyourmates？“wasthenextquestion。

“Ihadnomates，“Itoldthem。“Iundertookmywanderingspracticallyalone。”

Theylookedatoneanother，winked，andsmiledincredulouslyatthis。ThenoneofthemaskedmeifIhadfoundanygold。

Isaid，“Ohyes，plentyofgold，“andthenthenextquery——amostnaturalone——was，“Well，whyhaveyounotbroughtsomeofthestuffbackwithyou？Howfarhaveyoutravelled？“

ItoldthemIhadbeentrampingthroughtheheartoftheContinentforeightorninemonths，andthatIhadnomeansofcarryingnuggetsandquartzaboutwithme。Butthisexplanationonlyservedtorenewtheirmerriment，whichreacheditsclimaxwhen，inanunguardedmoment，IputaquestionwhichIhadbeenburningtoask-

“Whatyearisthis？“

“ThisisBellamy”s”LookingBackward”withavengeance，“criedoneoftheprospectors——asallythatwasheartilyappreciatedbythewholeofthecompany，withtheexceptionofmyself。Ibegantothinkthatifthiswasthereceptioncivilisationhadforme，itwerebetterformetohaveremainedamongmyfaithfulsavages。

Butinafewminutesthemen”sdemeanourchanged，anditwasobviousthattheylookeduponmeasaharmlesslunaticjustemergedfromthebush。IwasassuredthatthisconclusionwascorrectwhenIsawthediggerslookingatoneanothersignificantlyandtappingtheirforeheads。Iresolvedtotellthemnothingfurtheraboutmyself，wellknowingthatthemoreItoldthemthemoreconvincedtheywouldbethatIwasawanderinglunatic。IlearnedthatthesemenwereapartyofdecentyoungfellowsfromCoolgardie。Theyofferedmeamealofteaanddamper，andpressedmetostaythenightwiththem，butIdeclinedtheirhospitality。Igratefullyacceptedapairoftrousers，butdeclinedtheofferofapairofboots，feelingcertainthatIcouldnotyetbeartheseonmyfeet。

MyroughbenefactorstoldmethatIshouldfindmanyothercampstothesouthandwest；soIwanderedoffintothebushagainandspentthenightalone。

MynextmovewasinthedirectionofMountMargaret；andalongtheroadwhichItraversedIcameacrossaninterestingvarietyofpicks，shovels，andotherminingtools，whichhadevidentlybeendiscardedbydisappointedprospectors。Idecidednottoenterthistownbuttogoroundit；thenIcontinuedmytrampalonetowardsCoolgardieandthencetoSouthernCross。

Afterworkingforsometimeinthelast-namedtown(myimpressionsof“civilisation“wouldmakeanotherwholebook)，ImademywaytoPerth，thecapitalofWesternAustralia。InPerthIwasadvisedthatitwouldbebetterformetogotoMelbourne，asIwouldstandamuchbetterchancethereofgettingashiponwhichImightworkmypassagetoEurope。AccordinglyIproceededtoMelbourneassoonasIcould，andtheonlynoteworthyincidenttherewasmyhumorousinterviewwiththeFrenchConsul。IaddressedthatdignifiedfunctionaryinexecrableFrench，tellinghimthatIwasaFrenchsubjectandwantedtobesentbacktoEurope。Ibungledagreatdeal，andwhenmyFrenchfailedIhelpedmyselfoutwithEnglish。

TheConsulwaitedpatientlytillIhadfinished，strokinghisbeardthewhile，andlookingatmeinthemostsuspiciousmanner。

“YouclaimthisbecauseyouareaFrenchman？“hesaid。

“Thatisso，“Ireplied，involuntarilyrelapsingintoEnglishoncemore。

“Well，“hesaidcoldly，asheturnedaway，“thenexttimeyousayyouareaFrenchmanyouhadbetternotuseanyEnglishatall，becauseyouspeakthatlanguagebetterthanIdo。”

Itriedtoarguethepointwithhim，andtoldhimIhadbeenshipwrecked，butwhenIwentontoexplainhowlongagothatshipwreckwas，hesmiledinspiteofhimself，andIcameaway。

FromMelbourneIwenttoSydney，andfromSydneytoBrisbane。

AboutMay1897，IfoundmyselfinWellington，NewZealand，whereI

wasadvisedIstoodanexcellentchanceofgettingashiptotakemetoEngland。IsailedintheNewZealandShippingCompany”sWaikato，andlandedinLondoninMarch1898。

End