Читать книгу The Story of the Blacks - Charles White - Страница 8

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Hitherto I have dealt chiefly with the experiences of the settlers about Sydney, on the Hawkesbury, and at Parramatta, but variety is found by turning to the accounts given of the coastal tribes by some of the earlier explorers of the coast. In the journal written by Flinders, when he and Mr. Bass made their memorable voyage in the "Tom Thumb," a little boat only eight feet in length, and which resulted in the discovery of the Illawarra district, some very interesting particulars relating to the natives are given, as also in the account of the excursions subsequently made along the coast line in other directions.

The explorers came into contact with the natives on the first trip near Wollongong, and were in some danger for a time, but they managed to win the good graces of the natives who surrounded them by acting as bush barbers. "We had clipped (says he) the hair and heads of the two Botany Bay natives at Red Point, and they were showing themselves to the others and persuading them to follow their example. Whilst, therefore, the powder was drying, I began with a large pair of scissors to exercise my new office upon the eldest of four or five chins presented to me; and as great nicety was not required, the shearing of a dozen of them did not occupy me long. Some of the more timid were alarmed at a formidable instrument coming so near to their noses, and would scarcely be persuaded by their shaven friends to allow the operation to be finished. But when their chins were held up a second time their fear of the instrument, the wild stare of their eyes, and the smile which they forced formed a compound upon the rough savage countenances, not unworthy the pencil of a Hogarth. I was almost tempted to try what effect a little snip would produce, but our situation was too critical to admit of such experiments. Everything being prepared for a retreat, the natives became vociferous for the boat to go up to the lagoon; and it was not without stratagem that we succeeded in getting down to the entrance of the stream, where the depth of water placed us out of their reach.. . The natives were in nothing, except language, different from those at Port Jackson; but their dogs, which are of the same species, seemed to be more numerous and familiar."

The two Botany Bay natives here referred to subsequently treacherously killed the chief mate and carpenter of the ship "Sydney Cove" when the latter had separated from their companions.

On his voyage in the sloop "Norfolk" to the northward from Port Jackson, Flinders came into contact with several parties of natives inhabiting the localities at which he touched. The third day after leaving port the sloop sprung a leak, and the vessel was taken into a bay near at hand to be examined and repaired. The first objects which met the view of the explorers on landing were three huts of the aborigines, superior in construction to those hitherto seen. They were circular in form, and about eight feet in diameter, the frames being composed of the stronger tendrils of vines crossing each other in all directions, and bound together by strong grass. The covering was of bark of a soft texture so compactly laid on as to keep out both wind and rain. The entrance was by a small avenue, not leading directly into the hut, but turning sufficiently to prevent the rain beating in. The interior of the roof was covered with a coating of soot. One hut was double, comprising two recesses with one entrance, and was large enough to hold ten or fifteen persons. A small basket made of some kind of leaf, and capable of containing five or six pints of water, was found in one of the huts. Numerous aboriginals were observed on the land as they proceeded, and these made antic gestures towards the vessel, waving a green branch—the symbol of peace—and from time to time running into the water and beating the surf with sticks, as though they "would chasten the railing waves into making a passage for the boat, which they appeared to hope would visit the shore." Flinders and a friendly black boy named Bungaree landed, but as the natives appeared to be increasing in numbers, and to be desirous of getting between the visitors and the boat, a hurried retreat was made. At once a spear was thrown and nearly hit its mark, upon which Flinders fired at the spear thrower and lodged a charge of small shot in his back. The report from the gun and the howl of pain from the wounded black, issuing almost simultaneously, produced a panic among the blacks on the shore, and every man of them fell flat where he stood, evidently never having heard a noise like it before. Recovering from the shock they rose up and began to scramble to a place of safety behind a hillock, some running on all fours and others in a stooping attitude. Another shot was fired from the boat, and all the blacks again fell on their faces, but getting up immediately they fled helter-skelter into the bush, beyond the reach of further injury. The wounded man followed at a slower pace, stooping very much as he tried to run, and holding one hand behind him on his back. He frequently looked over his shoulder as he went, as if expecting to see the weapon which had inflicted the wound sticking out of his back like the shaft of a spear.

In one of the huts was found a fishing net or seine about fourteen fathoms in length, the meshes being larger than those of any English seine and the twine much stronger, a pointed stick being affixed to each end. Upon a shoal near the hut there was more than one enclosure of a semi-circular form, with sticks and branches so closely interwoven that a fish could not pass between. The explorers conjectured that the seine was connected with these enclosures. Subsequently they saw the natives in the water splashing with sticks to drive the fish into the nets.

Flinders described their songs as melancholy and soothing, being accompanied by slow and graceful motions of the body, the hands being held up in a supplicating posture. On one occasion, observing the attention that was paid to the song, each of the singers selected a European, near to whose ear he placed his mouth, either with the view of producing greater musical effect, or of teaching the visitor the song. They appeared not to be so warlike as the Port Jackson tribes, their weapons being inferior, and their habits being more peaceful. They were remarkably skilful in fishing, using scoop nets as well as the seine previously mentioned.

It was in the schooner "Norfolk" that Flinders circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land. In giving an account of his experience with the natives in making a survey of Twofold Bay, he says:—

"I was preparing the artificial horizon for observing the latitude when a party of seven or eight natives broke out in exclamation upon the bank above us, holding up their open hands to show they were unarmed. We were three in number, and, besides a pocket pistol, had two muskets. These they had no objection to our bringing, and we sat down in the midst of the party. It consisted entirely of young men, who were better made and cleaner in their persons than the natives of Port Jackson usually are; and the countenances bespoke both good will and curiosity, though mixed with some degree of apprehension. Their curiosity was mostly directed to our persons and dress, and constantly drew off their alteration from our little presents, which seemed to give but a momentary pleasure."

Referring to the discovery of the River Tamar, on the same voyage, Flinders says:—

"There were many recent traces of natives on the shore, and after returning to the sloop we saw, on the opposite of the arm, a man who employed or amused himself by setting fire to the grass in different places. He did not stay to receive us, and we rowed down to Middle Island, where a smoke was rising. The natives shunned us there also, for soon after landing I saw three of them walk up from the shoal which joins Middle Island to the opposite low, sandy point. The party appeared to consist of a man, a woman and a boy, and the two first had something wrapped round them, which resembled cloaks of skins.. .. The land on both sides (of the river Derwent) rises to hills of moderate elevation, and the rather steep acclivities being well cloved with verdure, they had an agreeable appearance. Our attention was suddenly called from contemplating the country by the sound of a human voice coming from the hills. There were three people, and as they would not comply with our signs to come down, we landed and went up to them, taking with us a black swan. Two women ran off, but a man, who had two or three spears in his hands, stayed to receive us, and accepted the swan with rapture. He seemed entirely innocent of muskets, nor did anything excite his attention or desire except the swan and the red handkerchiefs about our necks. He knew, however, that we came from the sloop, and where it was lying. A little knowledge of the Port Jackson and of the South Sea Island languages was of no use in making ourselves understood by this man; but the quickness with which he comprehended our signs spoke in favor of his intelligence. His appearance much resembled that of the inhabitants of New South Wales; he had also marks raised upon the skin, and his hair was blackened and his face was raddled, as is sometimes practised by them. The hair was either close cropped or naturally short, but it had not the appearance of being woolly. He acceded to our proposition of going to his hut, but finding from his devious route and frequent stoppages that he sought to tire our patience, we left him, delighted with the certain possession of his swan, and returned to the boat. This was the sole opportunity we had of communicating with any natives of Van Diemen's Land."

When making his famous voyage of discovery in the "Investigator," to the command of which he had been promoted before sailing from England, in 1801 (the celebrated Sir John Franklin commencing his professional career as a midshipman with him), Flinders frequently came into contact with the natives along the different parts of the coast which he visited. He had several interviews with the natives of King George's Sound, and this is what he says about them:—

"It was with some surprise that I saw the natives of the East Coast of New South Wales so nearly portrayed in those of the south-western extremity of New Holland. These do not, indeed, extract one of the front teeth at the age of puberty, as is generally practised at Port Jackson, nor do they make use of the woomerah, or throwing-stick; but their color, the texture of their hair and personal appearance are the same; their songs run in the same cadence; the manner of painting themselves is similar; their belts and fillets of hair are made in the same way and worn in the same manner. The short skin cloak, which is of kangaroo, and worn over the shoulders, leaving the rest of the body naked, is more in the manner of the wood natives living at the back of Port Jackson than those who inhabit the sea coast; and everything we saw confirmed the supposition of Captain Vancouver, that they live more by hunting than by fishing.

"None of the small islands had been visited, no canoes were seen, nor was any tree found in the woods from which the bark had been taken for making one. They were fearful of trusting themselves upon the water, and we could never succeed in making them understand the use of the fish hook, although they were intelligent in comprehending our signs upon other subjects. The manners of these people are quick and vehement, and their conversation vociferous, like that of most uncivilised people. They seemed to have no idea of any superiority we possessed over them; on the contrary, they left us after the first interview, with some appearance of contempt for our pusillanimity, which was probably inferred from the desire we showed to be friendly with them. This opinion, however, seemed to be correct in their future visits."

In his narrative of the discovery of Port Phillip harbour, Flinders says there were many marks of natives, such as deserted fire places and heaps of oyster shells, but with the exception of a few parties of two or three he did not fall in with any of them. After describing the chief features of the land thereabouts, Flinders says:—

"Were a settlement to be made at Port Phillip, as doubtless there will be some time hereafter, the entrance could be easily defended; and it would not be difficult to establish a friendly intercourse with the natives, for they are acquainted with the effects of firearms, and desirous of possessing many of our conveniences. I thought them more muscular than the men of King George's Sound; but, generally speaking, they differ in no essential particular from the other inhabitants of the South and East coasts, except in language, which is dissimilar, if not altogether different to that of Port Jackson, and seemingly of King George's Sound also. I am not certain whether they have canoes, but none were seen." Could the famous navigator revisit the spot, the Melbourne of to-day would astonish him.

The friendly black, Bungaree, whom Flinders took with him from Port Jackson as an interpreter and land guide, proved most useful during the several expeditions. Flinders declared that he was a "worthy and brave fellow," and he became quite a notability in the colony at a later date. He belonged to the Kamilory or Cammeroy tribe, and he it was who was chosen by the Governor to take charge of a little settlement of his people which was afterwards formed near George's Head, on the north shore of Port Jackson. The estimation in which Bungaree was held by the aborigines generally, as well as by his own tribe, and the position to which he had been raised by the Governor, created self-conceit in his dusky breast, and this grew to such large proportions that he at last assumed the airs of aboriginal royalty. After the failure of the settlement over which he ruled, he wandered round the more successful settlement of the whites, and for years made it a practice to board vessels entering Sydney harbor, and to demand contributions of the foreign visitors in acknowledgment of his rights. Dressed in a cast off cocked hat and a dilapidated military coat, which, no doubt, in its best days adorned the person of one of the white "noble-savages" of the British race, his sable majesty generally managed to extort a shilling or a glass or two of rum from good-natured skippers or passengers. He died in 1830, and was buried at Garden Island. His widow, Queen Gooseberry, was a well-known character in Sydney streets twenty years after her husband's death, and was generally believed to be the last of the Port Jackson aborigines.