Vernon Smith's Diary Part 1

Monday 19th [underlined] (Continued) about 3 pm in a bay S of C. Dombey. Too late to make an excursion ashore. Tried fishing but got nothing beyond a couple of small sharks. Turned in after a game - very cold SE wind. Tuesday 20th [underlined]. Breakfast at 7a.m. Messrs Brown Gee, Basedow & the Skipper & 3 boys went ashore at 7.30 to try reach Barthelemy Hills, leaving me nominally in charge of the boat. The 2 Malays washed decks etc. & I tried a bit of fishing, but without much success. The bottom is very muddy here, denoting the presence of a river, which it is hoped we shall find, as it is not marked on the charts. The party returned @ 4.30 having been unable to pass a long swamp which was encountered; but having made the acquaintance of a tribe of natives. The dinghy was sent back with flour, pipes & tobacco etc. & we had our tea, which included fried shark. The evening passed very quickly, though we did nothing special, & we turned in. Wednesday 21st [underlined] - Shortest day - Went ashore with Mr. Basedow, the Skipper - Bubs & Loman. A group of about 20 natives met us on the beach, & soon became friendly. Their lubras were on the other side of the Bay, & one of the men sent another one along the beach to fetch them up.

Wednesday 21st [underlined] (Continued) Would not like to have to drink from them! [text in left margin] We asked them to shew us water, & after some time, & a free use of the language of signs, started along the beach & then struck inland, where we were shewn 3 nigger wells in the jungle. Saw some fine banyan trees, also tamarind, under which they evidently had some good feeds, judging by the remains of camp fires, shells, husks of nuts etc.etc. Saw a discarded bag, which they used to carry yams or other things in. A portion was cut out, as a sample of the pattern. It was neatly made of plaitted grass or rushes, & laced at the edges with a string made of some kind of fibre. The natives (who were not encumbered with any clothing) accompanied us back to the boat. One fellow attached himself to me (probably taking a fancy to the "Organola" I had) & decorated my head-dress with a spray of palm leaf. He became rather too affectionate, as he wanted to put his arm around my neck as we walked along. They could speak no word of English & it was a difficult matter tho' amusing, trying to converse with them. 3 of the men were measured - much as a tailor measures a customer, only more fully - as Mr. B. wished to compare their phisique with the natives of the Centre. Just then the lubras came up, & we had a job to finish the man we were measuring

Wednesday 21st [underlined] (Continued) as he began to jump about & shout orders, as soon as they were within cooee. Half a doz. photos were taken some red cloth distributed, & we took our departure. One young girl, with reddish hair, had a bone through her nose. Arrived on board, & lunch over, we set sail for Cape Hay. Had to anchor soon after sundown as the wind did not suit us. Had a game & turned in. Thursday 22nd [underlined]. Set sail about 4.30a.m. when it was very chilly. I did not turn out 'till daylight. After breakfast we made the mouth of Port Keats, after passing Tree Point, & anchored in good water, the tide running out strongly against us. Could see Mt. Goodwin (310ft) in the distance apparently at the head of the Harbor. It will be our aim to get up there. This Harbor is a very good one for vessels, being almost landlocked & with good water. It is never used, & has not been visited, within the knowledge of local authorities since 1819 when it was sur-veyed by Capt. King R.N. In shape it is not unlike the legs and lower part of a frog. We sailed up with a steady breeze, against the tide, & anchored about 3p.m. at the dividing point of the 2 arms (or legs!). Busy with various things. The others either rested, or wrote. Got words of "Woggie ah"- according to sound. About 4.30 Mr. Basedow & I took a

Friday 23rd (Continued) don't become excited when they see anything, but quietly point in the direction, & if further explanation is necessary mention in an almost inaudible tone & in such a matter of fact manner "Alligator, him sit down". The term "sit down" corresponds to the adverb "there" in every case. In fact though the words used in speaking are quite English, some of them are used in such different senses, that it takes a few weeks before a newcomer can converse with them or give them orders properly. One never says "now" or "at once" if telling them to do certain things. It is always "first time". To bring, get or fetch is always "catch'em". "Not" or "don't" must be expressed by "no more". For "hurry", one must say "quick-fellow". "Know" is "savee". To draw one's attention without speaking, or otherwise making a noise they make a sound like we make when perplexed or annoyed, viz. - "Tut, tut, tut!" etc. etc. The party arrived on board alright, not having had much sport, but reporting a successful excursion, at which they were all pleased. The top of Mt. Goodwin was reached, bearings & samples taken - no natives encountered though fresh tracks & recent camps were seen. Some tobacco was left in tins for them (so that the crabs wouldn't eat it) & doubtless would be found alright when

Friday 23rd [underlined] (Continued) When the niggers came out of hiding. After tea, the flying-foxes passed leisurely over the boat, as before, & Mr. Brown succeeded in shooting one, which Pedro in the dinghy soon secured. It appeared to continue its flight at first, but suddenly wheeled back & began to describe circles getting lower & wider 'till it fell into the water with a splash. They are uncanny things to look at - the head being exactly like a small dog's. It was subsequently skinned & the body given to the boys. To Bubs, however, (who is of the Tarakeyah Tribe) it is a forbidden animal. It measured 4ft. from tip to tip, & smelt abominably. Spent the night at anchor. Saturday 24th [underlined] Got away early & sailed down to the entrance of Port Keats, near where we anchored coming in. Mr. Gee remained on board & I went ashore with the rest, - landing on a beach near to which we had noticed a native camp-fire, when sailing up. Proceeded Northward with Mr. Brown & Mr. Basedow who wished to examine some cliffs (which I suggested should be named the Venture Cliffs- after our vessel). We saw a wild peacock, some kangaroo (which are plentiful) & several smaller birds. Shot an oyster-catcher, but didn't have very much in the way of game, having to