experiment was so complete a failure, that after trying for eleven
years, the colonists were 'not even able to keep themselves in fresh
vegetables.' Fortunately, but little encouragement was ever offered to
permanent settlers, or the disappointments caused by an unproductive
soil and unhealthy climate would have been greatly multiplied. A
singular example of the _lex talionis_ occurred among the natives at
this place. One of them having been severely wounded in punishment for
an offence, the penalty was considered too severe, and 'it was finally
determined that, upon Munjerrijo's recovery, the two natives who had
wounded him should offer their heads to him to be struck with a
club--the usual way, it would appear, of settling such matters.'

Here we find, too, another of those instances of intelligence in a
native, the more extraordinary when contrasted with the low mental
condition of the aborigines in general. Sir Thomas Mitchell, and other
Australian travellers, have spoken of their acutely-endowed guides in
terms almost of affection; and Mr Macgillivray relates that, during
his stay at Port Essington, a native named Neinmal became greatly
attached to him. 'One day,' he continues, 'while detained by rainy
weather at my camp, I was busy in skinning a fish; Neinmal watched me
attentively for some time, and then withdrew, but returned in half an
hour afterwards with the skin of another fish in his hand, prepared by
himself, and so well done, too, that it was added to the collection.
He went with us to Singapore, Java, and Sydney, and, from his great
good-humour, became a favourite with all on board--picking up the
English language with facility, and readily conforming himself to our
customs and the discipline of the ship. He was very cleanly in his
personal habits, and paid much attention to his dress, which was
always kept neat and tidy. I was often much amused and surprised by
the oddity and justness of his remarks upon the many strange sights