They left, making signs expressive of friendship, carrying their
presents with them. The men all wore a net girdle; and of the women
some wore one of leaves, others of feathers. I feel confident that
we have left the best impression behind us, and that the "white
fellows," as they have already learned to call us, will be looked
on henceforth as friends, and that, in case of emergency, any one
will receive the kindest treatment at their hands.
. . .
The South Australian Register, of the 26th of November, 1861,
published at Adelaide, contained the following statement, which
excited universal attention:--
The Government have just received from Mr. McKinlay, leader of
the expedition sent from this colony in search of Burke, a diary of
his proceedings up to the 26th of October last. This document
contains a most singular narrative, being nothing less than an
account of McKinlay's discovery of what he believes to be the
remains of Burke's party, who he considers were some time since not
only murdered, but partly eaten by the natives in the neighbourhood
of Cooper's Creek. He, of course, had heard nothing of the result
of Mr. Howitt's expedition, or of Mr.
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