第20章 CHAPTER XI(3)

at their head appeared a chief,who was distinguished by being painted.

Though in the proportion of five to one of our people they passed peaceably on.

That their skill in throwing the spear sometimes enables them to kill the kangaroo we have no right to doubt,as a long splinter of this weapon was taken out of the thigh of one of these animals,over which the flesh had completely closed;but we have never discovered that they have any method of ensnaring them,or that they know any other beasts but the kangaroo and dog.

Whatever animal is shewn them,a dog excepted,they call kangaroo:

a strong presumption that the wild animals of the country are very few.

Soon after our arrival at Port Jackson,I was walking out near a place where I observed a party of Indians,busily employed in looking at some sheep in an inclosure,and repeatedly crying out,'kangaroo,kangaroo!'As this seemed to afford them pleasure,I was willing to increase it by pointing out the horses and cows,which were at no great distance.But unluckily,at the moment,some female convicts,employed near the place,made their appearance,and all my endeavours to divert their attention from the ladies became fruitless.They attempted not,however,to offer them the least degree of violence or injury,but stood at the distance of several paces,expressing very significantly the manner they were attracted.

It would be trespassing on the reader's indulgence were I to impose on him an account of any civil regulations,or ordinances,which may possibly exist among this people.I declare to him,that I know not of any,and that excepting a little tributary respect which the younger part appear to pay those more advanced in years,I never could observe any degrees of subordination among them.To their religious rites and opinions I am equally a stranger.Had an opportunity offered of seeing the ceremonies observed at disposing of the dead,perhaps,some insight might have been gained;but all that we at present know with certainty is,that they burn the corpse,and afterwards heap up the earth around it,somewhat in the manner of the small tumuli,found in many counties of England.