him. Her least wants and comforts were attended to with the most scrupulous nicety. Her gunyah was constructed with a greater regard to neatness and comfort than any of the rest, and was tastefully decorated with many curious ornaments. Her clothes were made of the finest skins of the Tuon (a small squirrel), and her food consisted of the most delicate game, such as the Wonga Wonga, Quail, &c., so that her captivity became more endurable every day, as she became more reconciled to her fate.
Her dog also gained a more exalted position in their estimation, and fully confirmed their first opinion that he was Bungilina's father, being equally as good a hunter as their lost chief. A plentiful supply of kangaroo and emu were run down, so that they had more food than they could consume, and their former enemies, a neighbouring tribe were entirely subdued, all owing to the advent of Lindigo and her dingo among them.
Years passed away without bringing succour to the forlorn captive, but her hopes never deserted her.
The tribe shifted their haunt occasionally between the lake islets and the plains, where game was procured in abundance, through the services of Bran. While they were on the plains, they were all surprised one evening at the sudden return of the men who had gone on a hunting expedition, and who were not expected back for a few days, plainly telling by their looks and manners that some extraordinary event had taken place which sent them back so precipitately.
Bungilina and Matoka, not being of the party, met the hunters before they entered the camp, to ascertain the cause of their unexpected return, the females being seldom admitted into their conferences or secrets. A long consultation took place among them, which judging from the excitement manifested by all parties, was, of great importance, and Lindigo observed that several suspicious and stolen glances were directed by them towards her during the deliberation, filling her with dread and insecurity.
She missed from among them the leader of the band, who acted on such occasions as Bungilina's substitute
