( 223 ) Muleakiburka, who had previously told me that he had speared a man, today said that he had strangled his wife's wife, proof of how cruel the blacks must have been towards each other before the arrival of the whites.

January 30th, 1840.
Last night there was such a noise among the natives camped near my house that I woke up and got up. I found that Wauwitpinna, otherwise a quiet man, was beside himself with anger at his young wife and her companions. He had lent her, but she had continued to be used beyond his permission or at least his expectation. Not only had he wanted to spear his wife, but he had actually thrown a spear at the Wirrameyunna, who had committed the shameful deed. The latter, who had initially fled, came back defiantly in the morning, but there was no argument. Judging from this incident, the women appear to be active instruments in such ceremonies and to be sent by the men as matchmakers.

Oh, how deeply morally this people stands; When will the time come when they will be reborn from their ungodly nature to the good and pious God? -- He alone knows.

Today I had to spend the most painful hour that I ( 224 ) experienced in South Australia in Klemzig and with people where I was otherwise only used to enjoying joy. Mr. Fiedler, who I just found busy in front of the house, received me with more respect and less trust than usual. Bertha, who was alone in the house, seemed more self-conscious and embarrassed, but she accepted a kiss. Attributing the embarrassment to another cause, I did not allow myself to be disturbed, and even when, when I inquired about her health, she told me that she had been feeling unwell for a few days, and even when she added that her illness was of a very unique nature, I was not prepared for what followed, as I thought that her illness was of a secret nature. But when she gave me the answer to my question about what was new: Quite a lot, namely that our relationship could no longer continue until I had reconciled with [Pastor] Kavel and the community and approved the latter's orders, then I realized that I was no longer sitting in the right saddle. More inclined to think that Bertha's speech was a dream than to be serious, I told her she was joking as I walked up to her. But when she replied that joking was quite far from her mind and showed signs of displeasure at my trust; when she told me that she couldn't keep the familiar word "You" today, when, as I set my eyes on her, she looked at me with a look that seemed to be devoid of all love ( 225 ): then I finally became aware of my situation and my loss.

In order to recover somewhat from the first impression that struck my soul like a thunderbolt, I went into the next room for a few moments, but soon sat down next to Bertha again to find out what had caused her unexpected and strange declaration. She said her father had overheard something of our last conversation about public confession and had spoken to her about it the day before yesterday; She thinks what he said to her was correct, she couldn't possibly separate from the community, which surely would happen if I didn't agree with her.