Altogether I collected about 100 fighting men, each armed with a bundle of throwing spears, a shield made of light wood, and a short, heavy waddy or club for use at close quarters.

When everything was in readiness, I marched off at the head of my "army" and invaded the enemy's country.

We were followed by the usual crowd of women-folk, who saw to the commissariat department and did the transport themselves.

On the first day out, we had to ford a large stream--a branch of the Victoria River, I think--and at length reached a suitable place in which to engage the enemy.

It is difficult for me to fix the exact locality, but I should judge it to be between Murchison and Newcastle ranges.