A statement of Mitchell (quoted by B. Smyth, i. p. 85), suggests that there could not be much affection between husband and wife. "... After a battle they (the women) do not always follow the fugitives from the field, but not infrequently go over, as a matter of course, to the victors, even with young children on their backs."[168] This statement sounds not very trustworthy. We never hear of open battles, in which fugitives would leave the camp unprotected. Besides, even if affection would not bind them to the "fugitives," would fear of the stranger and enemy not act in this direction? Little weight must be, therefore, attached to this evidence. [168] This statement refers, probably, to the Murray and Darling River tribes, without any exact localization. Taplin, about the Narrinyeri, says that sometimes the treatment of women by their husbands is very bad; but this is not always the case. "I have known as well-matched and loving couples amongst the aborigines as I have amongst Europeans."[169] This last comparison shows that the ill-treatment was not a clearly distinctive feature of the aboriginal married life. [169] _Loc. cit._, p. 12. The Encounter Bay tribe (Narrinyeri) regarded the wives "more as slaves than in any other light."[170] This statement implies lack of affection, absolute authority, and probably bad treatment. Nevertheless, we cannot be content with such a metaphorical and peremptory phrase on such an important subject. It is, therefore, useless, and adduced only as an example of how different and contradictory the statement of even good informants may be. [170] H. E. A. Meyer in Woods, p. 191. We are told of a case, where a black woman of the Murrumbidgee River tribe, who lived in marital relations with a white bushranger, evinced for him the greatest affection and attachment, and even several times helped him to escape justice with great self-sacrifice. Although she was ill-treated by him in the most brutal and revolting way, nothing could alter her feelings.[171] This example may serve as an illustration of how attached a black woman may be to her husband, even if he ill-treats her. [171] Bennett, pp. 248, 249. An account of the brutality of a woman's treatment is given by Tench (referring to the Port Jackson blacks). "But, indeed, the women are in all respects treated with savage barbarity; condemned not only to carry the children, but all other burthens, they meet in return for submission only with blows, kicks, and every other mark of brutality."[172] But Tench's statements do not appear to go very deeply below the surface of superficial observations. [172] _Loc. cit._, pp. 199, 200.