Sunday 20 June 1841

Camp on the heights ¼ of a mile from F. Henty's home station ['Merino Downs', Wannon River, Henty]. Last night two hours after dark VDL informed me that the other party had returned and had fallen in with one family of natives, a man, woman, two boys, and had left them as ordered some distance. This morning sent messengers to bring them near the camp and I met them on the height ¾ of a mile north of the camp. They consisted of a tall stout young man 21 years named [blank], an old woman he called mother between 60 and 70 named [blank] and two boys: one 9 named [blank] and one 8 named [blank]. They belonged to Dar.ko.gang conedeet and belonged to the country now occupied by F. Henty.

When I asked their names and where the country was they belonged to they were at the time seated on the ground on the heights a mile north and by west from F. Henty's at a little fire - the man and boys in front, the usual custom, the woman behind - when the man with emotion struck the ground and said, 'Here is my country, deen deen - here here'. And the old woman who had chronicled in her memory the long long history of her country took up the theme and waving her hands reiterated what her fine formed son had stated and in a garralous strain enacted a variety of events connected with the history of her country which had happened in their primitive state. And then in a dejected and altered tone deplored the loss of her country and its original enjoyment. The man was quite naked, also one boy; the other was all but naked. The old woman had skins and tattered pieces of blankets and two large round mats and two baskets. The man carried spears, and other native weapons and a pillun.

Name of tribe Dar.ko.gang conedeet, at F.Henty's and head of Wando:
1. Yere.mung.mur.rer.gy, the young man, 21;
2. a)Yud.de.gul.lin, b). Mat.tome, 70;
3. a) Korter.kerk, b). Kor.ter.kerk, 9;
4. Wome.beet.wome.beet, 8.

Finding there but one family I bid them accompany me to the camp and obtained from them the names of some localities:

Pal.lap.nue: is the name of the valley east branch of the Wando and which is seperated from John Henty by the dividing range on which I was camped. Settler Robertson lives in this valley and F.Henty has a sheep station there also.

Tar.toeng is the name of F.Henty's cattle station and which is separated from Co.nong.we tong, the valley at Whites' home station ['Konongwoorong', Koroite Creek, north of Coleraine], by the dividing range I crossed from Whites' to F. Henty and is east of F.Henty's home station.

To.re.wurt is the high hill north and by east from F.Henty's home station on the top of which I went yesterday, 19 June, in quest of natives. It is remarkable for red okre and is resorted to by the natives for the purpose of getting this earth, several holes having been dug by them. A fine view from the top of this hill and black soil to the very top - lightwood trees grow on it.

1. Mar.deer.ram, 2. Mar.deer.ham, 3. Mar.deer.um: F. Henty's valley at home station or the country at the cattle station.

I gave a blanket to Mat.tome the old woman in exchange for a mat basket and I gave also a blanket to the man.

As my supplies had gone, p.m., [and] natives were anxious for a run, I sent them in company with two of my men to Winter's there to remain until I arrived. The strangers went with them, this was 1 p.m. 2 p.m. Mr Grant, overseer, came and informed me that he had heard J.Henty would not receive my things, and wished me to send a man. I sent Tom, the only man I had, with order for the driver to take them to McCray's ['Glenorchy', Parker's Creek, south of Merino]. Remained at F.Henty's. Showery weather, wind strong from west. Evening, my servant native returned and said he had met the man one mile half from John Henty's on his way home. He had gone back. I gave the man a medal; he flew back, frightened at VDL's knife.

Sunday 20 June 1841

Hazy with light showers - wind northwest. A.M. sent messengers, two natives, one white man, to bring the native family communicated with yesterday near to my camp and VDL native was ordered to stay at a fire ¼ of a mile from my camp and receive them. None of my people stopped with the strangers, they were left to themselves and could have gone had they chose. My people found them near to where they left them yesterday evening and brought them as directed, and VDL informed me. I went to them and found them waiting my visit. They consisted of, as mentioned in preceding page. I shook hands with them, gave them a medal. In asking VDL for a knife to cut the tape the native fled back, supposing it was to cut his throat as the tape was round his neck. Got the names of the tribe. With emotion he struck the ground (the place of meeting was the height dividing the eastern branch of the Wando from F. Henty's) and said 'this is my country I am a Dar.ko gang conedeet, my name is [blank] ; and this is my mother, her name is [blank] and the two boys are named [blank]. The old woman was between 60 and 70 years, had two mats, large, and two baskets and hung to her back. The man was naked and had a torch. The weather was cold.