

THE ABORIGINAL TRIIJES. 183 



making her son drink some from his hand, to obviate all 

 suspicion of its being drugged. A little was poured 

 in libation on the idol. She hinted to him to deliver 

 to her the silver rings he wore. In doing so he 

 gave a proof of singular collectedness. One of the first 

 he took off he concealed in his mouth till he had pre- 

 sented to her all the rest, when, searching among the 

 surrounding countenances, he pointed to a man to whom 

 he ordered this ring to be given. It was a person who 

 had accompanied him from Oojein. An eagerness was 

 now evinced by several to submit bracelets and even 

 betel-nuts to his sacred touch. He composedly placed 

 such in his mouth and returned them. The priestess 

 at last presented him with a pann leaf,* and he left 

 the spot with a firm step, amidst the plaudits of the 

 crowd. During the latter half of his ascent he was 

 much concealed from view by shrubs. At length he 

 appeared to the aching sight, and stood in a bold and 

 erect posture upon the fatal eminence. Some short 

 time he passed in agitated motions on the stone ledge, 

 tossing now and then his arms aloft as if employed 

 in invocation. At length he ceased ; and, in slow mo- 

 tions with both his hands, made farewell salutations 

 to the assembled multitude. This done, he whirled 

 down the cocoa-nut, mirror, knife, and lime, which he had 

 continued to hold ; and stepping back was lost to view 

 for a moment — a pause that caused the head to swim, 

 the heart to sink, and the flesh to creep. The next 

 second he burst upon our agonised sight in a most man- 

 ful leap,t descending feet foremost with terrific rapidity, 



* The usual signal for the termination of a formal interview, 

 t The place is called the "Bir-Kali" rock, which I believe means 

 literally the " manful leap." 



