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McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia by John McKinlay
page 20 of 219 (09%)
bodies save one little bone. The black accounted for this in this manner,
he says they had eaten them. Found in an old fireplace immediately
adjoining what appeared to be bones very well burned, but not in any
quantity. In and about the last grave named a piece of light blue tweed
and fragments of paper and small pieces of a Nautical Almanac were found,
and an exploded Eley's cartridge. No appearance on any of the trees of
bullet marks as if a struggle had taken place. On a further examination
of the blacks' camp where the pint pot was found there was also found a
tin canteen, similar to what is used for keeping naphtha in, or some such
stuff, both of which we keep. The native says that any memos the whites
had are back on the last camp we were at on the lake, with the natives,
as well as the ironwork of saddles which on our return we mean to
endeavour to recover if the blacks can be found; it may be rash but there
is necessity for it. I intend before returning to have a further search.
No natives yet seen here.

Tuesday, October 22.

Breakfasted and are just about to get in the horses to have a further
search when the natives make their appearance within half a mile of us,
making for some of their old huts. Immediately on observing us made off
at full speed. Mounted the horses and soon overtook one fellow in much
fear. In the pursuit the blackfellow with us was thrown from his horse;
the horse followed and came up with us just as we pulled the frightened
fellow up. Immediately after our blackfellow came up, mounted his horse,
and requested us at once to shoot the savage, as he knew him to be one of
the murderers of the man or party; but we declined, thinking we might be
able to glean something of the others from him. On taking him back from
where we caught him to the camp, he brought us to a camp (old) of the
natives, and there dug up a quantity of baked horsehair for saddle
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