6

(6). [centred] 13 [written in pencil]

other natives of the Strait with whom I have come in
contact. They have never yet been known to take part
in any of the massacres of whites, but the very qualities
which distinguish them from other natives would ren-
der them all the more formidable if provoked, as recent
events have shewn [shown].

Of all the natives employed in the pearl
fishery, those from the island of Mare [with French accute accent on the "e"] are undoubted-
ly the best and bravest, but at the same time the most
lawless and difficult to restrain. A boats [boat's] crew of these
men were suddenly set upon by the Gamaleega in
revenge for something they had previously done; their
firearms were wrested from them and they were com-
pelled to make a hasty retreat to their boat with one
of their number badly cut about the head by a
tomahawk - The guns were afterwards recovered
through the Agency of the Warrior islanders -

My next visit was to Mulgrave island,
called Badoo [with "-" accent to indicate long "a" sound] by the natives. For many years the
Badooleega, who are very numerous, have borne the
worst reputation for treachery and cruelty, and the
evil influence exercised by the white man Wini who
lived with them for years, but who has died since
the settlement at Cape York was founded, still con-
tinues to bear fruit. A long series of massacres of de-
fenceless people perpetrated with absolute impunity
has accustomed these miserable savages to regard
Europeans as an easy prey, and until last year
they have congregated every S.E. season at the Prince
of Wales group in readiness to take advantage of any
disaster that might occur to shipping - It was these
people who instigated the "Sperwer" Massacre in
1869 and of the three tribes who took part in that