William Shakespeare Hall

“ We all followed the natives in good order & struck out for the land. We very quicky swam through the mangroves, when finding all the country was under water after swimming from the mangroves a short distanc e— I remarked to O'Grady senior, that we had better go back to the mangroves & have a spell, which we did. We remained there for some time being uncertain how far it was to land. We were now shifting from tree to tree as each tree we were on got submerged. The tide now began to rise rapidly - the wind being with the tide. ”

“ I think there was a black tracker with the constable but whether he was killed or escaped back to Roebourne I am not sure. Then it was that the natives, hearing the settlers were intending to punish them, said that while the white men were attacking them in the vicinity of Nicol Bay a party of natives would attack Withnell's camp, fire the thatched roof and spear the women (Mrs. Withnell and Sophie Hancock) and the children. ”

“ John Brockman swam ashore with the natives to keep them from swamping the dingy. I did not see the boy O'Grady after I last saw him clinging to the tree. O'Grady senior, after landing, went immediately to look for his son, when not finding him, he returned & we all made our way to the hills. We being all naked, cold, hungry & exhausted the natives dug pits into the sand which we got into. ”

“ After some time had elapsed the Governor pardoned Charlie, but Dad held he had exceeded his powers, inasmuch, he argued, that the Crown could not pardon a man of a offence of which they had not proved him guilty. However Charlie was such a turbulent man even among his own people, that some of them waited one day for him, and when he went down into a deep native sand well for a drink they killed him. ”

“ Uncle took a boat and boat's crew and went on shore at night to get turtle. They split his skull with an axe and also killed Joe Murray, a Roebourne native. The murderers were all North West Cape natives. The cause of Uncle's being killed was the natives could not account for Joe Murray (whom they wanted to kill) .
The next affair was the plan on the DeGrey to catch Nairn and his party at a corroboree. The nets were to be placed in a semicircle and when the whites came within the circle the nets were to be drawn round them and they were to be killed very quickly. ”

“ Pigeons, cockatoos, ducks & black shags in abundance. Camp 50 Lat 21° 54'.
AUGUST 2.
23 miles. Struck old track about 8 miles, to the west of Lake Plenty; we found the remains of our horse Rocket. Shot two native dogs. Strong S.E. winds about this time very cold (named this river the Sherlock) Camp 51.
AUGUST 3.
10 miles on old track to water at bird cages till noon halt (10 miles) After which course more easterly; & struck another branch of the Sherlock; with water in flags; put poor feed. ”

“ O'Grady senior landed immediately after me & asked me if I had seen his son. I replied "No". The weather clearing a bit, we saw another wreck with one white man & some natives clinging to the top-side. ”

“ At sundown, it having lulled a bit, Mr Brockman went with two men to the Sarah & got some wet blankets which we slept under. At about 8 p.m. the wind went to the westward & blew with greater fury than before. ”

“ Camp 9. Lat 21° 28'. Long 116° 31'.
General remarks on country. Hills metamorphic sandstone frequently very rough & broken, with some Granite & Trap changed by heat.
The plains for miles covered with debris from hills, & producing little else but triodia, which the horses will not eat, except when in seed, no timber on either hills or plains; but some gum, cajeput trees, & other strange shrubs in the river bed; & many sorts of grass. ”

“ I have carefully observed the progress of events in the other colonies and am satisfied the coast line north will shortly be settled, & it will be short sighted policy on our parts, to allowwothers the benefits, (if any) in the occupation of Lands, that we are justly entitled to. ”

“ N & E The river increased much in size. one very fine pool, where the party shot 6 teal & 2 ducks. Several tributaries to river; & led us about 7 miles E, when it changed its course N, which we followed about 8 miles. Some good feed on its banks; but country generally very poor and rough, with bare granite hills; & but little of it flat, much quartz for some days (now auriferous) today laminated & feldspathic granite & quartz. The horses begin to show fatigue. Camp 52. ”

“ AUGUST 16.
18 miles E. Country same as above, very extensive plain. Scanty feed supply of water, for horses at noon by digging. Branch of river almost run out. Towards evening feed much improved about native well on plain. Camp 60 Lat 21° 34'
AUGUST 17.
13 ms E by S Country somewhat improved, found water for noon halt, under high cliff, very difficult of approach. P.m. country very poor, struck stream, & followed it down. Plenty of feed in small patches, with water; saw 9 natives today. Camp 61. ”

“ SEPTEMBER 21.
13 ms N.W. Soon after starting river received a tributary or two. large pools more frequent; with plenty of fish & fowl; of the former we caught about 40 lbs weight. We came on a camp of natives about sundown, who seemed rather inclined to show fight but after a little decided that discretion is the better part of valour; & ran away. ”

“ Shot 6 whistling ducks; & caught a number of perch at noon halt, fine river for wild fowl. We struck another creek more on our course with water; but dug for it at night; Horses scarcely able to move forward. Camp 69.
AUGUST 28.
12 ms E over some of the roughest ranges we have crossed, composed of quartz metamorphic sandstone & trap. Found a little water, also at 1 p.m. by digging in same creek. Turpin & Old Joe quite done up. Compelled to leave them. 3 more but little better. Camped on flat with good feed; & plenty of spring water. ”

“ Shoved off, breakers ahead hard a port, & more by good luck than good management, got out the way we got in - ship sent up a rocket, & burnt blue light, endeavoured to make her, but too dark, too late, too windy ”

“ Mr. Gregory shot a fine swan; & Mr. Brown a beautiful strange teal. Plenty of fish in river. Horses very lame. Tree never seen before with long nut smelling like garlic.
We called this part of the "Sherlock" Lake Plenty. Lat 21° 6' Long 117° 32'. Camp 43.
JULY 14.
Sunday. Mr. Brockman shot a swan, 7 ducks, 6 cockatoos & 2 swan hens. Mr. Brown shot three ducks & a rock kangaroo & James & myself caught about 40 lbs weight of fish, one 51⁄2 lbs.
A strange bird in some parts (ways) it resembles a fowl. A large white crane was also seen with many black shags Many tracks of natives. ”

“ Sunday: 12 miles W. On route to Kangaroo Pool, started at 4 p.m. as it would be cooler, & the horses watered fully; camped on plain with grass near (no water) Black Hill the position of which is shown on the charts. Camp 99.
OCTOBER 14.
19 miles (8 on old track) at 6 & at 7 a.m. struck the G George with permanent water. made old camp (50) at 9a.m. Kangaroo Pool. Started at 4, & camped at (Camp 100) (e) . 8 p.m. on grassy plain near Harding Passed Pyramid at 7 a.m. & old noon halt at 5 p.m. ”

“ Camp 37.
JULY 6.
20 miles. Struck river in an hour, plenty of water; passed bullrush pool at 10.30 a.m., followed river down for 13 miles. Camp 38.
64 geographical miles south of Bay.
JULY 7.
Sunday. Made jam of wild plum. Turner & self had a long walk after 6 horses, did notlfind them. I killed a snake close to my feet while bathing. Many cockatoos shot. Caught a strange little animal. ( (Marginal note: This animal was rare, furry, generally seen at deserted camps, sitting, with its hind legs hooked over its shoulders; never more than one at a tine seen .) .) . ”