The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-07
PrOvldentIal Escape.

In 1S4e, while the British ship Rattle.
snake waS lying at Port Albany, on the
eastern shore OF Australia, a remarkable
instance occurred OF what seemed q
providential escape. Some OF the ships
company were on shore, shooting, when
they saw, coming toward them, an
individual whom they took to be gin,
or native woman, presenting the usual
uninviting appearance Of the aboriginal
females. They paid but little attention
to her, and were passing on, when, to
their surprise, she called out in Eng
lish: 81 am white woman, why do
you leave mop" She was taken of to
the ship in the first boat, u deplorable
object. Her appearance is thus de-
scribel "With tho exception Of u
narrow fringe OF leaves in front, shG
wore no clothing, and her skin WAS
tanned and blistGred with the sun, and
showed tho marks Of several large
burns which had boon received from
sleeping too near tho fire oil cold nights
besides, she was suffering from opthal-
min, which had previously deprived her
Of tho sight of ono eye." As soon us
the poor creaturc could tell her story,
she related that, having left Sydney
some four years before, with her hus-
band, in small cutter, Of which he was
owner, the vessel had been wrecked on
reef near the coast, and the three
persons on board, beside herself,
drowned. She was afterward rescued
by party Of natives on a turtling ex-
cursion, who, when the gallo subsided,
swan on board, ands supported her on
shore between two OF their number.
One OF these blacks, Boroto by name,
took possession Of tho woman as his
share Of the plunder; she was compell-
cd to live with him, but was well treated
by all the men, although many OF the
women, Jealous OF tho attention shown
her, for long time cvinced anything
but kindness. A curious circumstance
secured for her the protection OF one OF
the principal men OF the tribe, party
from which had been tho fortunate
means OF rcscuing her, and which sho
afterward found to be the Kowrarega,
chiefly inhabiting Muralug, or the west
ern Prince OF Wales Island. This
person, named Piaquai, acting upon the
belief universal throughout Australia
anl the islands OF Torres Strait, so far
as hitherto known that white people
are the ghosts OF the aborgines, fancied
that, in tho stranger, he recognized a
long.lost daughter Of the name Of Giom,
and at onceadmitted her to the relation
ship which he thought had formerly
subsisted between them. She was i'm
mediately acknowledged by tho whole
tribe as one Of themselves, thus insur-
ing an extensive connection in relatives
Of all denominations.
Tho natives, however, watched her
very closely, to prevent her escape, but
shc was often tantalized by the sight Of
vessels passing along the straits, aud
heard OF the former visit OF the Rattle
snake. This second time she had sue.
ceeded in persuading the blacks to let
her go "to SEQ the white people, and
shake hands with them," and had
promised to bring them back axes,
knives and tobacco. On these terms
they gave her leave Of absence but
repenting soon after, party started in
pursuit Of her, and had almost come up
with her when she was rescued by the
boat. Here We quote again from the
narrative: "Upon being asked by
Captain Stanley whether she really pre-.
ferred remaining with us to accompany.
ing the natives back to their island, rs
she would be allowed her FREQ choice in
tho matter, she was SO much agitated
rs to find difficulty in expressing her
thankfulncss, making use Of scraps Of
English alternately with the Kowrarega
language, and then, suddenly awaken
to the recollection that she was not
understood, the poor creature blushed
all over, and, with downcast eyes, beat
her forehead with her hand, as il to
assist in collecting her scattered
thoughts. At length, after n pause, sho
found words to say, Sir, am Chris
tim, md would rather go back to my
own friends
Barbara Thompson-such was the
woman's name-was eventually handed
over to her parents, in Sydney, in cx-
cellent condition.