 That initiated an escalating cycle of conflicts, which eventually included the Aboriginal groups stealing thousands of European sheep.Moorhouse testified that about 150 Aborigines appeared to be readying to attack, and that the massacre was committed to pre-empt such an attack.Moorhouse's report was disputed by Robinson, who stated that "thirty to forty were killed, and as many wounded", and later by James Collins Hawker, who wrote in his book "Early Experiences in South Australia" (1899