MESSAGES AND "MESSAGE STICKS."— EAMLYN-BARBIS. 



29 



double track is noticeable — whieh <'oukl hardly be iiiterjireted as flash marks. 

 The message is unknown. 



Text-flgure 22. 



Two sides of a message stick fiom CKmboon. 



(No. 312; 193 mm. x 21 mm.) 



This stick is made of an ironbark, and its surfaces are engraved with 

 faint lines, more pronounced on the obverse side. IMessage unknown. 



Text-figure 23. 



A North Queensland message stick. 

 (No. Q.E. 16/89.5; 114 mm. x 13 mm.) 



This stick, made of a species of pine wood, had actually been used four 

 years ago by a native in sending the following message to his brother-indaw 

 from Cooktown to Cairns, when the donor, Mr. J. J. Bramford (Oaklands), 

 procured it. 



" You tell 'em, come three moon. I been see 'em. White fella steala 

 me my country, shoot 'em brother alonga boat. Tell 'em Samson ; which way 

 Charlie? Tell 'em come. Jlother alonga me die. Mother first time, die. Bye- 

 bye me tell 'em. Toby alonga me.'" 



Altogether there is apparently no special technical design from the study 

 of which we could classify the various Queensland sticks and determine with 

 any degree of certainty the localities from which they came. It is nevertheless 



''Interpreted into intelligent English this would read somewhat as follows: — 

 " My brother-in-law, I want you to leave liome in tlu'ee months. I would like you 

 to come and see me liere. A white man stole me from liome and sliot my brotlier in .a boat. 

 Tell old Samson I'm here. Where is Charlie? If yon see him tell him to come too. .My 

 mother and old granny have both died. Cannot tell you more now. Toby is with me." 



