The aborigines of Tasmania / by H. Ling Roth ; assisted by Marion E. Butler and Jas. Backhouse Walker ; with a chapter on the osteology by J.G. Garson.

  • Henry Ling Roth
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The aborigines of Tasmania / by H. Ling Roth ; assisted by Marion E. Butler and Jas. Backhouse Walker ; with a chapter on the osteology by J.G. Garson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    62/402 page 26
    a look of assurance with which his bodily strength seemed to inspire him” (I. ch. v. pp. 221-222). Then when a boat landed, “the natives, who, notwithstanding all the signs of amity they made them, would not let them come within two hundred paces distance of him ” (ibid. ch. v. p. 223). Similar results were recorded the following day <ch. v. p. 225). Finally we are told (ch. v. pp. 233-234), “ One of the officers . . . met six of them [natives] walking slowly towards the south. . . . Their surprise at so unexpected an encounter was visible in their countenances ; but their numbers inspiring them with courage, they approached at the invitation of the European, and bound round their heads a handkerchief and neck-cloth which he offered them. They, however, appeared terrified at the sight of his hanger, which he showed them how to use; nor were their fears quieted till he made them a present of it. He en- deavoured in vain to persuade them to come to the place where our ships lay at anchor; the savages walked away ... in a direction . . . opposite to that which led to the shore. Some of our men, having landed on the other side of the strait, came to a large fire round which eight savages . . . sat warming themselves . . . They immediately ran away as soon as they saw our people. On old woman, who had the care of their provisions, which she did not choose to leave behind her, was soon overtaken by some of the sailors. She accepted with an air of satisfaction a handkerchief which was given her, but was so terrified at the sight of a hanger, which they presented to her, that she leaped down a precipice more than forty [sic] feet in height, and ran away amongst the rocks, where they soon lost sight of her.” After this “they discovered a number of the savages landing from a raft. As timid as those we had seen before, they had hastened with all possible speed to the land, where they made their escape into the woods” (ch. v. p. 230). It was, however, not until their second visit that the Frenchmen succeeded in obtaining interviews with the natives. La Billardiere then relates (II. ch. x. pp. 32—66), “We advanced a few steps when a sudden cry, arising from several voices united, issued from one spot, and we perceived through the trees a number of natives, most of whom appeared to be fishing on the borders of the lake. . . . We had gone only a few steps before we met them. The men and youths were ranged in front, nearly in a semicircle; the women, girls and children were a few paces behind. As their manner did not appear to indicate any hostile design, I hesitated not to go up to the oldest, who accepted, with a very good grace, a piece of biscuit I offered him, of which he had seen me eat. I then held out my hand to him as a sign of friendship, and had the pleasure to perceive, that he comprehended my meaning very well ; he gave me his, inclining himself a little. These motions were accompanied by a pleasing smile. My companions also advanced up to the others, immediately the best understanding prevailed among us. They received with great joy the neck-cloths which we offered them: the young people approached nearer us; and one of them had the generosity to give me a few shells of the whelk kind, pierced near the middle and strung like a necklace. . . . This ornament was the only one he possessed. ... A handkerchief supplied the place of this present, gratifying the utmost wishes of my savage, who advanced
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3