Thursday.—Towards four p.m., arrived at the Messrs. Jamieson’s station, Mildura, pleasantly situated on a turn of the river, about fifty miles by water from Macleod’s. Mr. Jamieson, who appears to be thoroughly acquainted with the resources and commercial statistics of the river, which he most obligingly has communicated without reserve to all on board, joined us here with a native servant, in order to accompany the expedition as far as Swan Hill, 600 or 700 miles further. About this man hangs a tale, establishing, I think, a fact, which, though generally credited with regard to native propensities, has not perhaps been thoroughly authenticated. I allude to their cannibal habits. The man, who goes by the name of Mickie, himself tells the story. He says, that, returning on one occasion from Melbourne, where he had been serving as a police trooper, he fell in with some natives of the Loddon tribe, one of whom, following him, and threatening to spear and eat him, he attacked and killed.[12] This effected, he was not content with his triumph, but did actually eat a portion of the man’s body—a part of his kidney fat—which he pronounced good eating, and not unlike pork and duck. Nor does it appear that Mickie was thus prompted for want of food, or from a specific predilection for such a meal; but rather because he imagined that thus would be infused into him his enemy’s strength; and that, moreover, the skin which he lavishly distributed amongst the natives of his tribe, would prove a charm for his fishing nets. The settlers about the Darling appear desirous of coming under Adelaide jurisdiction. The fact is, they are so distant from Sydney, that they imagine themselves quite neglected by authority, and entirely cut off from all legal jurisdiction. What difference the advent of the steamer upon their waters may cause in their ideas, is yet to be seen. Undoubtedly, it is a source of unmingled satisfaction to all settlers here; indeed, we are told of some who actually meditated the abandonment of their runs, in utter despondency at the impracticability of transporting their wool produce to a port,[13] or even of obtaining the supplies necessary for their subsistence. Dancing on board the _Eureka_ till half-past ten. Friday.—Took in a quantity of pine wood, about five tons, for fuel; and, after passing Williams’s, arrived at (Carwarp) Messrs. McGrath’s, a station occupied by three brothers; who, from the condition of common labourers, have raised themselves, by their industry, to a position of comparative affluence. They are the possessors of 10,000 sheep on this run, about the numbers which are depastured at Mildura. The weather continues cold, though dancing was kept up for an hour in the evening. The cabin was much crowded at this station; and some of our party addicted to going early to bed, complained a little of the disturbance on board.