The natives, when charged with the theft, stoutly denied it, and said that it had been stolen by one of the Darling tribe in returning to the river.

I therefore directed him, as he generally superintended the issue of presents and provisions to the natives, to stop all further supplies.

The old boocolo failed in his endeavours to recover the flag, and the natives who visited the camp were evidently under restraint.

On the following day the boocolo came to my tent, and I spoke angrily to him.

"Why," I asked, "has the black fellow taken that which did not belong to him?
I do not take anything from you.