Sunday, 2 May, 1841

Fine weather, wind east, took leave of Dr Kilgour ['Tarrone', Moyne River, north of Port Fairy] from whom I had received every attention and proceeded on my way to the native camp. Last night my horse broke his tether but I went after him by moonlight and found him. I had not proceeded far on my way this morning when Dr Kilgour on horseback overtook me. He came to ask my advice and assistance against his servants. He had been informed that another beast had died from the effects of over driving by the stockkeeper and he said the stockman, Patrick Kelly, had also abused him in a shameful manner. He had no written agreements. I said he had no remedy. We had just parted when, riding a few yards, I saw another of his beasts lying dead. I called him back and showed it him. Poor man, he was sadly annoyed.

Went on to the native camp and as I approached saw the natives and from their number knew that there were strangers among them. When I first saw them, they were all standing. But immediately they saw me approach they sat down in groups to receive, men in one group and the women and children in a seperate one. Among the latter was an older man surrounded by his children. His name was Wore.rer.mor.or.ong, 36 years an Art.cone.deet. I immediately dismounted, and went and shook them by the hand. It was evident they were not accustomed to such salutations as when I held out my hand they put out their elbow and kept their seats. But the other natives told them to get up and two of them named [blank] acted on this occasion as master of ceremonies and introduced them in rotation, and told them what to do. I shook hands with the men first and patted them on the head. The ladies and their children were next introduced and the same ceremony gone through. The ladies looked abashed having their eyes fixed on the ground and the children, some of them cried and evinced fear. Indeed, not only did the ladies and children require encouragement but some of the men also. After this ceremony had been gone through and confidence gained, I then proceeded to take down their original names and confer others on them. Wee.weet remained seated in his worn or hut and did not take part on this occasion.

As I obtained their names, they were moved off by the conductor and others brought forward. The ladies had their faces decorated for the occasion: Some had rubbed a little okre over their visage, not like European ladies by rouging their cheeks, but this was all over their face, others had large reeds thrust through the cartiladge of their nose. Some of these reeds were a quarter of an inch in diameter and 12 inches long. There were in all about 40. I took the names of the undermentioned. They had arrived that morning. None came last night. Even the three last messengers did not make their appearance till this morning. Some of the men of this tribe were finely formed and the whole of them were submissively obedient. The following names I took down and during the process, they evinced surprise and curiosity at what I did. One in particular I observed immitating the motion of my hand when writing. They, as well as the other natives at Port Fairy, had never seen a white man write before. [Figure 5.2].

After taking the names of these people, I took my leave of them. I had a handkerchief, the only one with me. I asked (in order not to create jealousy), on whom I was to bestow it. And one of the men pointed to a woman and on whom I bestowed the gift. And it seemed by the shouting of the natives to have given general satisfaction. From what I have observed on this, as on former occasions of similar character, I am led to believe that the appreciation of a gift does not so much depend on its value or quantity as on the particular occasion and manner of bestowing it. For instance, I have seen the time when a crayfish was more appreciated by me than the gift of six oxen would be at other times. Again, a gift is more appreciated at any time when it is not anticipated.