Aboriginal Australians -- Government relations; Dunk Island (Qld.); Natural history -- Australia -- Queensland
She was determined to run away as soon as the steamer landed her, for
that part of the North was not her country, and she could not live
anywhere else. Besides, she was “sorry belonga that boy Jim.” During the
first night of her homeward pilgrimage she never ceased walking among
rocks and through the scrub, for she was fearful of being recaptured.
Without pause she clambered on until well into the next day, when she
slept for a little while. Then on again until dark. One big “mung-um”
(mountain) stood in the hopeful direction. Thitherwards she hastened,
losing count of the days and nights. Nelly has no conception of figures
beyond one, two, and a great many. The climbing of the mountain
occupied many days. She was bewildered, for she could not “catch'm
that sal'water” which would lead her home. At last from a spur of the
mountain she saw the sea--“L-o-n-g way. Too far. Me close up sing out.”
Though she might cry, the sight of big salt water beside which all her
life had been spent was a joy and a stimulant. Pushing and worming her
way through the jungle, she encountered nothing but birds, wallabies,
and snakes.
Once she was startled by what seemed to be a worn narrow track.
Advancing cautiously along it, she came across a huge carpet snake
coiled “all a same rope alonga boat.” It was asleep where an opening in
the roof of vegetation made a patch of sunlight on the jungle floor, and
she passed by, treading noiselessly. For food she had the fruits of the
jungle, crude, harsh, and bitter. Food, indeed, was almost repugnant,
for her thoughts were concentrated on her country, so she hastened down
towards the now hidden sea. Far inland she heard its welcome noise--a
greeting and a call from home which made her forgetful of all weariness
and fret.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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