McKinlays Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia | Page 8

two
teeth, one on each side (four between in front) rather projecting as is
sometimes called in the upper jaw buck teeth. I have measured the

bones of the thigh and leg, as well as the arm, with a cord, not having
any other method of doing it. Gathered all the bones together and
buried them again, cutting a lot of boughs and other wood, and putting
over top of the earth. Body lies with head south, feet north, lying on
face, head severed from body. On a small tree, immediately south, we
marked MK Oct. 21, '61. Immediately this was over we questioned the
native further on the subject of his death. He says he was killed by a
stroke from what the natives use as a sword (an instrument of
semicircular form) five to eight feet long and very formidable. He
showed us where the whites had been in camp when attacked. We saw
lots of fish bones but no evidence then on the trees to suppose whites
had been there. They had certainly chosen a very bad camp in the
centre of a box scrub with native huts within 150 to 200 yards of them.
On further examination we found the dung of camels and horse or
horses, evidently tied up a long time ago. Between that and the grave
we found another grave, evidently dug with a spade or shovel, and a lot
of human hair of two colours, that had become decomposed, on the
skin of the skull, and fallen off in flakes--some of which I have also
taken. I fancy they must all have been murdered here; dug out the
new-formed grave with a stick (the only instrument we had) but found
no remains of 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 stuffing. He says everything of
the saddlery was burned, the ironwork kept and the other bodies
eaten--a sad end of the poor fellows. He stated that there is a pistol
north-east of us at a creek which I have sent him to fetch; and a rifle or
gun at the lake we last passed which, with the other articles, we will
endeavour to recover. Exceedingly hot; windy and looks as if it would
rain. The natives describe the country from south to north of east as
being destitute of water or creeks, which I afterwards found cause to
doubt. I have marked a tree here on north side MK Oct. 22, '61; west
side, Dig 1 ft.; where I will bury a memo in case anyone should see my
tracks, that they may know the fate of the party we are in search of.
There are tens