So, after a few weeks' experience of life there, I decided to return to my bay home, and later on make preparations for a journey overland to a point on the Australian coast, where I learned ships quite frequently passed.

The point in question was Somerset Point, at the extreme north of the Cape York peninsula; and I had learnt of its existence from Jensen when we were pearl-fishing.

The blacks were delighted to see me on my return, and I remained with them several months before attempting my next journey.

They were keenly anxious that I should join them in their fighting expeditions, but I always declined, on the ground that I was not a fighting man.

The fact of the matter was, that I could never hope to throw a spear with anything like the dexterity they themselves possessed; and as spears were the principal weapons used in warfare, I was afraid I would not show up well at a critical moment.