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the blacks. Cattle slain, herds and flocks harried,
crops robbed, and other agressions. Truth to tell, these
stories seemed to me to be second hand and exaggerated
and it would be interesting to hear the other side were it
possible to obtain it. But even allowing the stories to be
true and correct in all details it is fairly certain that these
depredations by the blacks were reprisals for unfair and
unjust treatment by some of the whites who looked upon
the original inhabitants of the country they arrogantly took
possesion of as savages to be kept under, and held under,
by the strong hand rather than by humane and kind
treatment. Pioneers like the Ogilvies of Yulgilbar, the
Tindals of Ramoruie, the Hawkins-Smiths of Gordon-
Brook, the Bundocks of Wyangarie, A.A.Leycester of
Tunstall and others I could name who treated the
blacks firmly, yet wth intelligence and kindness, and
looked upon them as probable friends instead of potential
enemies, had little trouble and in fact got good and
willing help and service in return for their humanity.
During my own personal experiences with our dark skinned
friends, dating from 1869 to 1894, they had become
more or less civilized, especially the younger ones, for
they spoke fair English, wore clothes, and only went
naked when back in the bush, were fairly regularly