173 Mr. A. A. Leycester's Excursion 



having shot plenty of game we had a good supper. The bag 

 consisted of two Brush-turkeys, two Pademeleons {Halmaturus), 

 and five Pigeons. Out of these I selected two Wonga-wonga 

 Pigeons {Leucosarcia picata) for my portion, and the remainder 

 was appropriated to the men's night's feeding. Having watered 

 and hobbled and bedded the horses, we set to work cooking our 

 suppers. Polly's former fright did not appear to have reduced 

 her appetite. She commenced supper on the remains of the 

 Snake, which she had put by from dinner. This seemed to re- 

 fresh her appetite and to prepare her for half a Pademeleon 

 which she received from her husband. This was thrown to her 

 over his shoulder, that being the natives' fashion of presenting 

 their wives with anything choice. The natives never allow their 

 wives to cook for them any meat or game, this being business 

 of too great importance ; and neither the women nor boys are 

 allowed to touch the " Waukham " or Brush-turkey, there 

 being some mystery attached to it. When supper was over, 

 Davy suggested that all the guns should be loaded with ball 

 cartridge, as he anticipated an attack on our camp during the 

 night from the Tabbo blacks, and that a watch should be kept. 

 Polly was set to keep the first watch till the moon rose, which 

 would be about midnight ; and Billy and Davy were to take the 

 subsequent portion, that being the most likely time for a rush 

 at us. Polly was ordered to sing a death-song all her watch, as 

 a sure plan of keeping her awake, and as further being supposed 

 to produce the efiect of sending the soul of the dead black 

 fellow to the right place, wherever that might be according to 

 their belief. The monotonous tones of her voice and song soon 

 sent me to sleep. Having received orders to wake me when 

 the moon rose, she did so, as well as her husband and Billy. 

 This was soon accomplished, as we all slept round one fire, not 

 having erected my tent. When'all were aroused Davy proposed 

 another supper (or rather breakfast), which I agreed to. They 

 then finished off" all the game (with the exception of one pigeon 

 which I kept for my breakfast), and in addition two opossums 

 which had been added to the stock since our arrival in camp, 

 having been killed whilst sporting among the branches of a tree 

 close by. Polly and I then went to sleep, whilst Davy and 

 Billy sung, and refreshed themselves with ^ame and tea till 



