TWO LADIES 137 



front a big and rough sapling. The fires glowed again, 

 the orchestra clicked and thumped, and a single boy in 

 an ancient red handkerchief and chalks danced into the 

 light, and, keeping time with the music, began in 

 pantomime to fashion the sapling into a sword, using a 

 fictitious shell, with which he scraped off imaginary 

 bark. While absorbed in his work, his companions 

 came from the screen in haste, skipping round him and 

 mimicking all his actions and grunting in unison with 

 him, while making the sand-ridge to quiver with 

 intensity of tread. Presently all flopped down on 

 haunches in close formation round the sword-maker, 

 still maintaining rhythmical sway of bod}' and limb, 

 and while some held the sapling, others toiled strenu- 

 ousl}'- towards the completion of a good and true weapon, 

 the master of ceremonies encouraging and exhorting the 

 workers until nature could hold out no longer, and they 

 bounded to their feet and, with grunts and signs and 

 with bodies reeking with perspiration, whirled away 

 into darkness. 



Act III. — Each of the noisy players came suddenly 

 into the glare carrying a rotund, compact bundle, and, 

 squatting down, began with grunts and sighs the great 

 "coco-nut" act, obviousW one of the masterpieces of 

 the corroboree. In perfect time the sham coco-nuts 

 were beaten with hands in lieu of sticks or tomahawks, 

 while the accompaniment became faster and faster. 

 Ever and anon each, still rocking, would peer closely at 

 his prize to satisfy himself as to its quality, and forth- 

 with continue the resonant belabouring of the shell, 

 until the meat therein was available with joyous shout. 



Act IV. — Most of the accumulated bark and leaves 

 having by this time passed into flame and smoke, the 

 attendants raided the nearest gunyah for fresh supplies 

 of material for illumination. The big fires lit up the 



