the one who had been killed, from whose grave I had taken the spear; the woman was my new guardian's wife, and the young man who had visited us, was their son; and, consequently, according to their order of thinking, my very respectable and interesting nephew. It may he taken as certain, that I looked on him, as a very unaccountable relative, one I little thought of meeting in such a place, or in that manner; at any rate there was one consolation, if he was not very wise after the fashion of more civilized men, he could not display great foolishness in his expenditure; and, that there was, therefore, no great chance of his uncle having to pay his tailor's, or other bills: a consolation many uncles would be very glad to possess with equal security.
That night there was another great Corrobberree, with shakes of the hand, and congratulation at my return. When these ceremonies were over, I went with my new relations to their hut, where they hospitably regaled me with roots, and gum, and with opossum roasted after their fashion. This was the first animal food I had taken since parting with my companions from the Calcutta, and it was to me a most delicious feast. They presented me also with an opossum-skin rug, for which I gave my new sister-in-law my old jacket in exchange, although it was by this time very much the worse for wear. I need scarcely say, this paletôt added much to the elegance of her appearance, or, that these interchanges of attractive civility had great effect in cementing our family acquaintance.
