brave Matoka, who brought back our long-lost Lindigo! We will make him a great chief over all the tribes! We will clothe him like ourselves, and give him back all his hunting-ground.'"
It was enough; the right chord was struck; Matoka surrendered to the musical voice of the pleader. He could no longer withstand her look, and the touching appeal of the white woman. His eyes brightened; he grasped his nulla-nulla more tightly, then looking at his half-naked limbs and inferior war implements, he whispered cautiously "Malae," (I surrender); "to-night, when all are asleep." 'Wah!' exclaimed Bungilina, who thought the time given to Matoka had been exceeded, when the young man sprung out of the gunyah, afraid that his last words had been heard by his brother.
With great anxiety and hope Lindigo watched for the coming darkness, the time went wearily until the last of the tribe had laid down for the night. Her dog kept close by her side within the gunyah, and sat up as if watching something. At length he gave a slight growl, which was instantly interrupted by the hand of his mistress being placed on his mouth, when the crouching figure of the faithful Matoka was seen at the entrance. Without a word he took her by the hand, leading her in the same recumbent position, while her dog instinctively sneaked behind her, and followed in a slow and measured step.
In passing close by Bungilina's gunyah they heard, to their terror, that either his lacerated arm or suspicion kept him still awake; they had, therefore, to crawl more cautiously, dreading every moment that he might spring up and seize them. However, they cleared the camp safely, and penetrated the narrow strip of tea-tree, which separated the encampment from the border of the lake where the canoes lay. Matoka pushed his canoe a little further out, when Lindigo and her dog seated themselves in the bottom. But, horror! the faithful guide had hardly taken his place when the alarm was heard in the camp, and, instantly a rush was made to the canoes. Matoka made the best use he could of the start by shooting out into the lake, and, with his usual skill,
