Cirrus@Austlit

Although largely autobiographical, this work contains fictional elements. Refer to Kay Walsh and Joy Hooton Australian Autobiographical Narratives: An Annotated Bibliography Vol 2: 1880-1900, Canberra: Australian Scholarly Editions Centre, University College, ADFA and National Library of Australia, 1998.

Dedication: This little book (inspired by life in the Bush of Australia) Is Dedicated To A light-hearted girl, who loved the free air of the ranges and the excitement of the chase. When dark clouds overshadowed our trackless way, the sunbeams of her heart dispelled adversity; when surrounded by scenes of the deepest historical interest, and scenes of desolate wildness, I was assisted to record items of aboriginal lore, that will be handed down to posterity. When apprehensive of native hostility by my whilom foes, in the mighty centre of a mighty realm, she did not desert me, but returned with my party into civilization on the finke river and died as she lived. Chaste as the morning dew, she has now gone to that undiscovered country from whence no traveller returned. The Author.