into him by Yagan after the latter made his escape, the very first time afterwards that he was met on the mainland.
Such was the state of affairs in the Murray District, when the Governor, Sir James Stirling, Captain Ellis, superintendent of police, Mr. Norcote and several individuals of the mounted police, some soldiers of the 21st, and gentlemen on horseback, being engaged in a surveying expedition, arrived at Pinjarra, which is the nearest ford across the Murray River, after leaving the estuary. On reaching this place, having learned that a large body of natives had encamped a little to the south, the Governor directed Captain Ellis, with the officers, to go and demand some of those black men, who were charged with the murder of the soldier above mentioned, and the attack on Serjeant Barron. These functionaries were received with a shower of spears, and one having struck Captain Ellis on the temples, he tumbled from his horse, and either in consequence of the injury or the fall, died in a fortnight. One of the policemen was wounded in the arm, and several horses received spear wounds. After the officers had fired repeatedly on the natives, the latter divided into two parties; one, taking to the south got clear off, but the other which made for the ford, were followed by the police, and met in front by the Governor and his company. They then plunged into the water, and continued swimming about, hiding under the banks and among the bushes: but, sixteen or eighteen were shot, among them some women. It is sad to think there is no reason to suppose that these natives either anticipated any attack from the white people, or intended doing them injury, but had simply congregated for the purpose of hunting and feasting upon the Kangaroos.
We spent the night of the 20th at Pinjarra, and I examined the banks of the river for plants, and gathered Anigozanthus
to the mainland, but Yagan had particularly observed the soldier, who had been deputed to flog him for misconduct while on the island, and dogging him from place to place, fell on him and left him for dead. The soldier, however, recovered.
