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diff --git a/old/56284-0.txt b/old/56284-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3fc22aa..0000000 --- a/old/56284-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1228 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Legend of Kupirri, by W. A. Cawthorne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Legend of Kupirri - The Red Kangaroo - -Author: W. A. Cawthorne - -Release Date: January 1, 2018 [EBook #56284] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LEGEND OF KUPIRRI *** - - - - -Produced by Chuck Greif & The Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from scans of public domain works at The National -Library of Australia.) - - - - - - - - - [Illustration: PILLA AND INDA.] - - - - - THE - LEGEND OF KUPIRRI, - OR - The Red Kangaroo. - - AN ABORIGINAL TRADITION OF THE - PORT LINCOLN TRIBE. - - BY - - W. A. CAWTHORNE, - PRINCIPAL OF THE VICTORIA-SQUARE ACADEMY. - - [Illustration: KUPIRRI.] - - ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: - J. H. LEWIS, PRINTER, - MDCCCLVIII. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The Natives of a certain district of Port Lincoln, when questioned as to -the cause of the non-existence of that species of Kangaroo known to the -Colonists as the great _Red Kangaroo_, have the following legend in -reference to its extinction:-- - - “In former times, one of the species, inhabited Port Lincoln, his - name was _Kupirri_, he was of stupendous size, and devoured all - those who attempted to spear him. His very appearance inspired the - natives with overwhelming terror, so that they lost all presence of - mind, even flinging away their _midlahs_. At last, however, a match - was found for the monster Kangaroo, in two renowned hunters, Pilla - and Inda, who, falling upon its track near Port Lincoln, on the - range stretching to the North, followed and overtook it on Mount - Nilarro. Finding it asleep, they at once attacked it, but before - they could quite kill it, their spears became blunt; they then - quarrelled with each other, and Pilla stabbed his antagonist with - one of the blunt spears, in many places, while he himself received - a severe blow over his nose. Becoming reconciled, the friends - again attacked and killed Kupirri and, on opening it, found, to - their utter astonishment, the dead bodies of their comrades - previously devoured by the monster. Being no less skilled in the - medical art than in hunting, they succeeded in reviving and healing - these unfortunate men. They all then betook themselves to roasting - and devouring Kupirri in return. The feast over, and their bodies - comfortably greased, they returned to their mourning families, who - received them with every demonstration of joy at the happy - termination of their adventures. The two heroes were afterwards - metamorphosed into, and gave origin to, two species of animals--the - _Oppossum_, and the _Native Cat_--retaining as such, not only their - names, but also the scars of the wounds that they inflicted on each - other--in the shape of a furrow down the former’s nose, and of a - number of white spots sprinkled over the skin of the latter.[A] - -[A] From a pamphlet by C. W. Schurmann, 1846. - - NOTE 1.--In the Breccia caves of the Portland district, and - elsewhere, huge bones of an extinct kangaroo have been found. It is - possible, therefore, that this legend has some foundation in fact, - which in the lapse of time has moulded itself in the present form. - - NOTE 2.--“I cannot sit down without making an allusion to a cognate - subject that for a very long time has occupied my attention. I - allude to the legends and traditions of the aborigines of - Australia. It is possible that the gentlemen present may doubt of - their existence, but I beg to assure them that the tribes of - Australia are not so barren in these particulars as may be - imagined. There is scarcely a constellation in the heavens that has - not its appropriate legend, and the animals of the land are - invested with the supernatural. Capes, promontories, and islands of - our shores are transformations, or are otherwise connected with - legendary lore. The origin of their own species, and their various - ceremonies, abound with singular and exotic ideas, and the wildest - fancies. The Australian savage has his myths, legends, and poetry, - like his brothers of other regions; and I mention it for the - purpose of throwing out a suggestion to the members of the - Philosophical Society, that it would be an interesting work, and - worthy of the employment of some portion of their funds to collect - and collate together these treasures, before the race disappears - from off the face of the land. Sir George Grey has done as much for - New Zealand, and I sincerely hope that ere long the same may be - accomplished for Australia.” - - [Extracted from the 4th Annual Report of the Adelaide Philosophical - Society, from a paper on “The Song of Hiawatha,” by the Author.] - - - - -THE LEGEND - -OF - -THE RED KANGAROO. - - - The rippling waves of Boston Bay - Lay glimm’ring in the fading day - Growing shadows were length’ning o’er, - Dark’ning the distant islet’s shore. - - Far away in the open sea, - Beyond the Cape Catastrophe, - The sun shot forth its golden ray, - And kiss’d each wave in parting play. - - Gorg’ous colours o’erspread the sky, - From farthest verge that’s scann’d by eye, - To where the sun’s effulgent rays - Pour’d forth its last resplendent blaze. - - Majestic clouds were pil’d and mass’d, - In form sublime and grand in rest, - In true perspective--line on line, - Till mix’d and lost in hues divine. - - Splashing loud on the pebbly beach, - The dimpling waves were chasing each - Filling inlet, dent, and bay, - With murmurs soft, and sparkling spray. - - The scrub wav’d gently to and fro, - A green irradiating bow; - The she-oak in the distant view, - Whisper’d a mournful, sad adieu. - - The bold hills in a rounding line, - Glorious in a sunny clime, - Purpling when the bright eve declines, - Dark’ning as day its rule resigns. - - The tribe was camp’d beside a hill, - Near a transparent gurgling rill; - On a bold bluff the _wurleys_ stood, - Within a copse of wattle-wood. - - The warriors were far away, - Creeping on their unwary prey-- - Girdling them in a treach’rous ring, - With artful deep manoœuv’ring. - - Some spearing fish upon the coast, - Where Koonta’s mystic stream is lost; - Some sneaking emu on the plain, - Searching _Kupe_, or snaring game. - - Or, listless from a cool retreat, - Were watching _Cowee’s_ great heart beat, - Its ebb and flow, its wondrous tide, - _Marma’s_ wayward, beauteous bride. - - The jocund laugh resounds along, - Tho _lubras_ mark their little throng: - The scornful look and air they bore, - Engag’d in strife and mimic war. - - Behold them on the open plain, - Naked as they from nature came - In fierce opposing bands they range, - Spears rattle, and dire words exchange. - - In childish accents, “Death,” they cry, - And mockingly the foe defy; - With quiv’ring limbs, and glaring eye, - They rush to conquer or to die. - - Their mimic spears hiss through the air, - And whirring _waddies_ cause despair; - Their shields resound with awful blows-- - The ground is strewn with friends and foes. - - Now o’er the hills the _lubras_ come, - In Indian file, by one and one; - Each bears the produce of the day, - Of roots, and herbs, and wallaby. - - With weary step they hasten down, - And cast their burdens on the ground, - And _cooey_ for their absent child, - And waiting--gossip ere the while: - - “How at the last _corrobboree_, - Ngamma’s familiarity - With Yerku, shock’d all decency, - Hence Bultawilta’s jealousy. - - “How saucy Tekartoo behav’d, - While her husband in _palti_ play’d; - And caused the stranger’s sly advance, - And quarrelling, broke up the dance: - - “What dreadful things the _burkas_ said, - For Tau had ate the sacred leg; - How _Kuinyo_ would at night appear, - With stomach vast, and snaky hair. - - “And Paune’s wonderful escape - From cunning sorcerer’s deadly hate, - As in the reeds he hiding lay, - A bird by night, a bush by day.” - - Murmurs confus’d sound o’er the hill. - Now near, then far, now loud, then shrill; - Soon seen are many hunters bold, - Like full of game and tales untold! - - To the camp they are drawing near, - Very emulous to appear! - Each more famous than the other, - In the sight of wife and mother. - - Did ever see such kangaroo, - As now borne past in grand review, - Besides the fattest of emu?-- - Prais’d be the Manurapindoo! - - All stare, and gloat, and feast their eyes, - As the game spread forth in glory lies; - The _kuttas_ soon at work resound, - And women, joking, dig the ground. - - Some a hole of just size prepare, - And leaves and stones arrange with care - Well heated these, and duly laid, - Thus the native oven is made. - - The meal enjoy’d--their bodies greas’d - They chat and laugh, or loll at ease; - Hunting and warlike stories tell, - Of sorcery, magic, charm, or spell. - - Of wondrous feats, and jerks, and jumps, - Of water-holes, and scrub and stumps; - Of narrow ’ -scapes, and dreadful leaps, - Of swamps, and storms, and flooded creeks. - - But there were none among the brave - So skill’d, so witty, or so grave, - Or could recite the tales of yore, - Which he knew by many a score. - - Purley, the star--such was his name, - Through all the tribes had spread his fame - As hunter, warrior, _burka_ wise, - In dance or song durst none despise. - - Now him around, in circles sat-- - The boys in front, the elders back; - With gaping mouths and wond’ring eyes, - They laugh and marvel with surprise! - - The tribe enwrapp’d in shades of night, - While rows of fire are twinkling bright, - Loud wails the plaintive monotone, - To cure the pain, or soothe the gnome. - - “Now behold the road before me, - How beautiful throughout Yerna, - Watteyernorlo Tappandē, - Miny-el-ity yarluke an-ambe.” - - “Now to the water-hole we’ve come, - We two, together, at Tunte nung.” - Thus corrobories they sing, - How sweet the memories they bring. - - But others, of more mournful frame, - Pierce the air in a tender strain, - Sing of the lost beloved one-- - “O, why did you die! my son! my son!” - - Cow’ring nearer, a young man asks, - “Tell us of the great First and Last? - Who was, and who is yet to come, - And why gaze we oft on setting sun? - - “Why the _burkas_ in silence meet, - Why in uncertain whispers speak. - In wild and lonely bushy creek, - And there enchanted words repeat? - - For what the magic weapons use, - Why ourselves in warm blood suffuse, - Ord’ring women from th’ sacred place, - Tell us the myst’ries of our race?” - - No! no! shouts the great _Uwinda_, - Rather tell us the tale of Inda, - And the famous hunter, Pilla, - And their deeds upon the Willa. - - Crowding, then, around the _wurley_, - They listen to the tale of Purley, - Who in a measur’d tone begins, - Of the famous Kangarooing. - -[Illustration: Carrying the fire-stick.] - - - - -THE TALE OF PURLEY. - - - “In the long past, in days of yore, - Such days, alas! return no more! - Our tribe liv’d on the Wonga plain, - That stretches southward to the main. - - “In all good things they richly shar’d, - Sumptuously on dainties far’d; - With bursting nets of game and fish, - In implements surpassing rich. - - “We were, of all, the greatest tribe - That in the North or West reside; - Our dire enchantments never fail’d, - Northern sorcerers ’ -fore them quail’d. - - “Victors in ev’ry hunt and battle, - ’Twas enough our spears to rattle; - Our enemies would fly apace, - Though rarely winners in the race. - - “But though so powerful and great, - We dwindled at a rapid rate; - For hunting when the tribe would go, - There would be missing one or so. - - “Suggest, could none of us a cause, - Whereby this sad mysterious loss - Could be explain’d, or could be trac’d, - For death had doom’d our noble race. - - “It was resolv’d, before too late, - A gen’ral hunting match to make; - The scrub, and swamps, and plains to scour, - To find the foe, or magic power. - - “Everywhere searching, left and right, - Till Nilarro appear’d in sight; - When lo! a monster on them springs, - Four men to ground he quickly brings. - - “The unnatural creature, then, - _Instead of grass ate up the men!_ - They lift no spear, they lift no _wirri_, - Powerless before Kupirri. - - “Behold! like burnt sticks in a row, - By’s tail he fells them with a blow! - Enrag’d, he lashes it about, - And quickly puts them to the rout! - - “Homeward they rush, nor look behind, - Frighten’d at e’en the rustling wind; - Frighten’d at the grass-tree stump, - Frighten’d at every stone and lump. - - “Abandon’d all, both shield and spear, - Demented by their madd’ning fear, - Nought else they know, nought else repeat, - Than their sad loss--their dread retreat. - - “Long and loud the death-wail rose, - They cut their arms--blood freely flows! - While tears run down the sadden’d cheek, - And on their breast they strike and beat. - - “‘My son! my brother! O my friend!’ - The women thus lament their end; - While _burkas_ try all magic art, - To cause the monster to depart. - - “Oh! then were long days of sadness, - Unavailing wrath, and madness! - But who, they ask, can kill Kupirri? - Can bold man, can charm or _wirri_? - - “Then they arose in wild despair, - Invoke the gnomes of earth and air - Dread magic rites initiate, - All spirits bad propitiate. - - “The _warra warra_ now declare - Sure success to those who’d dare - Their monster-enemy to face, - The scourge of their devoted race. - - “Murmurs of doubt run through the throng-- - Who able was, or who was strong? - With what weapons could they fight - The monster on Nilarro’s height? - - “But none among the young or old, - As hunters, were so brave or bold - As the noted fighter “Inda,” - And his far-famed brother “Pilla.” - - “‘We go,’ they in one voice exclaim, - ‘Though we should ne’er return again, - We’ll perish, or we’ll victors be - O’er this cursed beast, Kupirri.’ - - “Then with great skill, and with rare art, - They well anoint and paint each part - With mystic dots, with stripe and line, - From head to foot in _karkoo_ shine. - - “Aloft a _witto_ nods and bends, - And grace to every motion lends; - A long white bone adorns the nose, - While on the forehead--teeth in rows. - - “With a well-tried shield and spear, - Wirri, and other war-like gear, - _Kyahs_, _wommeras_, and _kuttas_, - And the mystic _Paityowattas_. - - “Well versed in all ancient curses, - Which, when one properly rehearses. - Neither bird, beast, nor fish escape, - But, unresisting, yield to fate. - - “Bright was the sun that shone that day, - As the daring brothers bent their way; - Sounds lamentable rise on high, - Mingl’d with shouts that rend the sky. - - “Then solitary, on they go, - Their progress mark--firm, stealthy, slow; - Eyes, like their steps, most firmly bent, - Both on the one great aim intent. - - “Through heat and scrub, all that long day, - Till the last sun-beam died away; - Then on a dreary, stony height, - Repeat their charms, and camp the night. - - “Just where glimmers th’ early dawn, - Loom’d grandly in the ruddy morn, - Mount Nilarro, so vast and gaunt, - The abyss of _Kupirri’s_ haunt. - - “Bald were its hoary sides, and steep - Its gullies, precipitous and deep; - A silent stream, from a hidden source, - Pursued its dark meand’ring course. - - “Little they ate, they little said, - But on their way they quickly sped; - With eagle-glances scan the land, - And closely watch on either hand. - - “Another night they try to rest - In vain--with horrid fears opprest; - For they in fancy often see - The Red Kangaroo, _Kupirri_! - - “Half valiant, yet half affrighted, - Arm’d with dark words recited, - March on they, eager for the fray, - Thirsting for their insatiate prey. - - “O’er hill and dale they longing seek, - Through prickly scrub and winding creek; - Anxiously from the heights, review - The land of the Red Kangaroo. - - “Suddenly, in a gulley deep, - Behold the creature fast asleep! - Each at each in mute wonder stare, - While sinking, almost, with despair. - - “_Kupirri_ moves his wondrous tail, - Their courage ’gan direct to fail! - His ears, immense, he wags about, - And opes, awide, his awful snout! - - “He sleeps--shut are his dreadful eyes, - Nor heeds his daring enemies, - Who in right earnest now prepare, - To slaughter him as he lies there. - - “Strike him with the blood of circumcision! - Strike him with the tuft of eagle feathers! - Strike him with the girdle--the _paltando_! - Strike him with the _manga_, the _kundando_! - - “With mystic curse they imprecate! - More soundly sleeps the monster great! - Forth fly the deadly quiv’ring spears! - _Kupirri_ only shakes his ears! - - “Trying then the long _uwinda_: - Fearlessly the hunter, Inda, - Steps up, and gives a deadly thrust, - He sprawling, kicking, sends the dust! - - “Now Pilla, bold, with strong _wirri_, - Batters, manfully, _Kupirri_, - Madden’d by pain he vainly tries - From his enchanted sleep to rise. - - “Then they the blood-drench’d _warpoo_ try, - Sneaking upon him, very sly; - Though standing by his panting side, - In vain they try to pierce his hide. - - “But now! oh most unfortunate! - The magic of an adverse fate! - The hunters ’gan to disagree, - In the presence of Kupirri. - - “Alas! for these two valiant brothers, - They fight, and almost kill each other, - Until at last, their fury spent, - They see their folly and relent. - - “’Twas well, for lo! the earth did quake - With the monster’s efforts to awake; - They bravely rush, renew the strife, - _Kupirri_ yields, with groans, his life! - - “Terrible was his dying pain, - Agonising his pond’rous frame; - Terrible were his mortal throes, - Horror-struck stood by his foes. - - “A blacken’d rent marks the dire place, - Where died the last of Kupirri’s race; - Rarely do men to it repair, - Very rarely go hunting there. - - “They leap for joy, and jump, and shout, - And in steps mystic dance about; - Refreshed now from their late affray, - Proceed at once to divide their prey. - - “But with incredible surprise - They see--doubting their own eyes, - Their dead companions he had ate - When Kupirri they last had met. - - “But skilful they in magic art, - They lay the bodies wide apart, - Then conq’ring in spiritual strife, - They slowly raise the dead to life. - - “Round their old foe themselves they seat, - Ready his choicest parts to eat. - And thus their just revenge appease, - And with his fat their bodies grease. - - “Laden with prey they homeward bend, - Each talking with his late dead friend, - Chatting of surprise and greeting, - That ’wait their unexpected meeting. - - “Soon the great Wonga plain appears, - They strike their shields, and raise their spears; - With hasty strides now onwards press, - Nor heed the place or time of rest. - - “Ne’er was there such a day as that, - When the late-dead by the living sat; - Nor were such _paltis_ ever sung, - As through the woods all that night rung. - - “Very often they told the tale - How their courage began to fail, - How with _kutta_, spear, and _wirri_, - They at length did slay Kupirri. - - “Time roll’d on, the hunters brave - Were fast descending to the grave, - The youths would oft recite, in play, - The heroic deeds of a former day. - - “Years pass by, the period came - When to perpetuate their fame - Our tribe great mystic rites perform’d, - Pilla and Inda were transform’d. - - “Behold ‘Pilla,’ the _Native Cat_! - Varied spots adorn his back, - For thus his cruel brother mark’d him, - When he in quarrel spear’d him, - - “Behold the _Oppossum_, ‘Inda,’ - His face streak’d by the _uwinda_, - Great Pilla’s unnatural deed, - When they in fight both disagreed. - - “Henceforth our tribe did dwell in peace, - Nevermore hurt by monstrous beast; - They multiplied and grew apace, - And so arose our mighty race.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: The Emu.] - - - Finish’d the tale, Purley arose, - The list’ners hasten to repose; - The camp is sunk in quiet sleep, - The moon-beams through the foliage peep. - - The cricket chirps beneath the grass, - The wodlalla bends beneath the blast; - The fragrant wattle scents the air, - The yerké skips around his lair. - - Heaven’s bridegroom, in all his pride, - Doth forth in silv’ry glory ride; - The evil spirits try in vain, - Their unholy hands with blood to stain. - - Loudly wails the voice “kokunya,” - The native trembles in his gunya; - The lonely mawpawk softly coos, - As coyishly his mate he woos. - - Upon the beach, the gentle roll - Speaks sweet words to the list’ning soul; - The wind sighs in the patta tree, - Like a mother’s softest lullaby. - - Beauteous nature beams around, - Breathing many a pleasing sound! - We linger o’er the enchanted scene, - Sweet vision of a heavenly dream! - -[Illustration: Grass Tree.] - - - - -NOTES, &c. - - -“Artful, deep manœuvring.”--The natives have various methods to -capture their prey, all indicitive of true huntsmen’s craft. Sneaking -the emu, a wary bird, is an instance where, With a screen of boughs -before him, the native gradually creeps within spear-range, and soon -gains his prize. - -“Ancient Curses.”--Such curses are used when hunting. The different -kinds of game have different curses. - -“Abandoned all.”--When a native throws away his spears, it is a sign of -the greatest fear and distress. - -“Boston Bay.”--The harbour of Port Lincoln. It is protected by Boston -Island. - -“Bultawilta.”--A man’s name. - -“Burka.”--An aged man, the last stage through which men pass, and with -whom the knowledge of all charms, ceremonies, &c., is deposited. - -“Bodies greased.”--A luxury highly appreciated by the natives. Captain -Sturt and Sir T. Mitchell bear testimony, that to a naked savage, in a -hot climate, it is, and must be, a great luxury. It supples the skin, -and prevents it chapping. The fat of all game is used for this purpose. - -“Boys in front.”--Descriptive of the order in which, on all public -occasions, the natives arrange themselves; the children are invariably -placed in front. - -“Cape Catastrophe.”--The South point of Port Lincoln district. Here -Captain Flinders had the misfortune to lose a boat’s crew, hence its -ominous name. - -“Cooey.”--A loud call. - -“Cut their arms.”--To this may be added, singing the hair off the head -with live coals, putting a large mass of white clay on the head, and -smearing the body over with the same, as signs of mourning for the dead. - -“Corrobbories.”--Simply a play, and the highest, both in scope and -character of all their amusements. It is generally performed at night, -but occasionally in the day. The words sung are frequently meaningless, -or handed down from so remote a period as to have lost all meaning. The -corrobbory in the text is literally translated. Any incident, comic or -grave, trivial or important, may form the words of a corrobbory. The -song rarely exceeds two lines. - -“Cowee.”--Water--the sea. - -“Gunya.”--Hut--the same as wurley. - -“Heaven’s bridegroom.”--In the native mythology, the sun is a woman, and -the moon a man. The former beats the latter till he dies; but dying, he -revives, and this goes on for ever hence the phases of the moon. - -“Kyahs.”--Implements of war. - -“Kokunya.”--The curlew, said at times to be inhabited with the spirit of -death. If a native dreams of his visitation, he dies. - -“Kuttas.”--Implements for digging. - -“Kupe.”--A grub inhabiting gum-trees, grass-sticks, &c. Though the -softest of creatures, it penetrates the hardest of woods. Its natural -history is little known. When _once_ eaten by Europeans it is so -relished as never after to be despised. The difficulty lies in the -_first_ attempt. - -“Kuinyo.”--A fabulous being--death. - -“Kupirri.”--The proper name for the red kangaroo. - -“Lubras.”--It is singular, that whilst the language is replete with -terms of relationship, there should be found no distinction in the terms -for husband and wife. The word _lubra_ is used indifferently for either. - -“Paityowattas.”--Small instruments used in incantations. - -Page 7. “Behold them on the open plain,” &c.--Illustrative of children’s -games, to which may be added the ball, and what is known to Europeans as -the scratch-cradle. - -Page 15. “Cowering nearer,” &c.--The current belief of the tribe. - -Page 17. “In all good things,” &c.--Describes what, in native -estimation, a man or a tribe’s welfare consists. - -Page 20. “Then with great skill,” &c.--Descriptive of a warrior’s -dress. - -Page 21. “Repeat their charms,” &c.--No native retires to rest without -some such precaution; their belief is, that evil spirits are busy, in -the darkness, to kill them. Fire is a sure guardian. The writer once met -a native, many miles from his camp, benighted; he carried a large -fire-stick for protection. - -“Paune.”--The name given to the ninth child. Sorcerers can change -themselves into any shape or substance, instantaneously. Each tribe -regards the other as peculiar adepts in sorcery. This belief in -witchcraft exercises a most baneful influence on the native mind. It is -the source of nearly all their quarrels and violent deaths. - -“Patta tree.”--A kind of gum tree. - -“Manurapindoo.”--A mystic curse, used in hunting. - -“North.”--The North is regarded by the natives as the great seat of -diabolical agency, witchcraft, &c. - -“Ngamma.”--A man’s name. - -“Nillaro.”--A mountain in the Port Lincoln district. - -“O why did you die,” &c.--A literal translation of a lament for the -dead. - -“Spearing fish.”--On the Onkaparinga, the Murray, the Lake, &c., fish -are speared. All the spears are jagged, and vary in length according to -the fish to be taken, from six feet to twelve or fourteen feet; the -latter are for the Murray cod. - -“Strike him,” &c.--Literal translations of the curses used on such -occasions. - -“Strike their shields.”--Mode of salutation in war, as well as in peace, -and before a battle very striking and picturesque. - -“Spirits bad.”--The aborigines have no _good_ spirits. - -“Sacred leg.”--Women and children are not allowed to eat the hind leg of -a kangaroo--it is sacred. - -“Tau.”--A woman’s name. - -“Tunte nung.”--Mid-day. - -“Tears run down.”--The expression of sorrow, by the native man, is -intense; tears will stream down the face, whilst the most sorrowful -lamentations pierce the air, at the same time the women cut themselves, -and the men spear each other in the arm; this occurs particularly at -funeral solemnities. - -“Wurleys.”--Native huts, made from the boughs of trees, and in winter -strongly constructed, of a dome shape, and capable of holding from six -to a dozen persons. Near whaling stations, the ribs of whales are -employed as the frame-work, and the divisions filled up with boughs and -sea-weed. - -“Warpoo.”--A kind of dagger; it is always _dedicated_, by being drenched -in human blood. - -“Warra warra.”--Sorcerers. - -“Wodlalla.”--A reed. - -“Wife, and mother.”--Natives highly esteem the opinion of their mother; -this regard is a pleasing trait in their character. - -“Winda, or uwinda.”--The largest spear, and generally jagged, from ten -to fourteen feet long. - -“Yerke.”--A kangaroo rat. - -“Yerku.”--A woman’s name. - -[Illustration: Ornament.--Kangaroo Teeth.] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Legend of Kupirri, by W. A. 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